Drug laboratory organizers may now face up to 10 years in prison

People who organize drug laboratories in Uzbekistan may now face imprisonment for five to 10 years. This is provided for in the law adopted on June 11 “On amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Uzbekistan aimed at improving liability for the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues, and potent substances.”

Under the amendments to the Criminal Code, the illegal organization of a drug laboratory for the production, preparation or processing of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues will be punishable by imprisonment for five to 10 years.

In addition, organizing or maintaining a drug den for the consumption or distribution of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or potent substances will be punishable by imprisonment for three to five years.

Sponsoring the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues, or potent substances, will be punishable by imprisonment for five to eight years.

The illegal acquisition of potent or poisonous substances through theft or fraud will be punishable by:

• up to three years of correctional labor;
• restriction of liberty for two to five years;
• imprisonment for up to five years.

Earlier, it was reported that during operations carried out by relevant authorities in Uzbekistan in the first five months of this year, nearly 1.2 tons of narcotic substances were seized and 59 large drug-related criminal groups were detained.