In recent years, the number of crimes related to narcotic substances in Uzbekistan has sharply increased.
According to official data, over the past five years, the number of such offenses has doubled, while the amount of confiscated synthetic substances has increased tenfold.
This was reported by Sarvar Urmonov, Senior Inspector of the National Center for Drug Control under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
According to the expert, in 2024 alone, more than 12,000 criminal cases were initiated — almost 25 percent more compared to the previous year.
“This increase is due not only to the growing activity of criminal networks but also to the transformation of the drug trade system itself.
Today, drugs are increasingly distributed through messengers and social networks.
Couriers receive the coordinates of ‘stashes,’ money is transferred online, and anonymity makes monitoring much more difficult,” said Urmonov.
Synthetic substances have become more dangerous than traditional ones
Previously, the main threat came from opiates and traditional drugs, but now the situation has changed drastically.
Mephedrone, spice, A-PVP, and other synthetic substances are rapidly taking over the market.
They are produced cheaply and quickly in illegal laboratories, are easier to transport, and have a much stronger effect.
“For these reasons, synthetic substances are replacing traditional opiates and cannabis.
They are not only cheaper but also cause addiction much faster,” noted the specialist.
The Internet — a new marketplace for drug trafficking
Today, drug sales are mostly carried out online.
Through closed Telegram, Instagram, and other messenger channels, the entire purchasing process is fully automated:
the buyer pays online, the courier places the “stash” at a predetermined location, and then sends a photo report.
This method is safe for criminals but extremely difficult for state control.
Prescription drugs — the new threat
At the same time, the illegal circulation of strong medications that should only be sold with a doctor’s prescription has intensified.
These include pregabalin, sibutramine, and tropicamide.
In recent years, such drugs have become a new source of addiction.
Most of these medications are sold online or through poorly regulated pharmacies.
Over the past three years, the number of cases involving the seizure of such drugs has increased several times.
Experts are already calling this a “new type of addiction epidemic.”
Why are experts alarmed?
Experts emphasize that the drug problem is not only a matter of crime but also a serious threat to public health and social security.
The cheapness and accessibility of synthetic substances make them especially popular among young people.
This may lead to long-term consequences — a decline in mental health, lower productivity, and risks to the well-being of future generations.
Law enforcement agencies are intensifying their fight against drug trafficking,
but specialists believe the problem cannot be solved solely through punitive measures.
It is necessary to apply a comprehensive approach — through education, prevention, and raising public awareness.
