In Uzbekistan, 22 organized drug criminal groups were exposed in 2 months.
The groups have been engaged in criminal activities for an average period ranging from 3 months to 10 years.
In the first months of January-February of this year, the activities of 22 organized drug trafficking groups involved in the transportation and distribution of drugs in the republic were stopped. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported this.
It is noted that 5 leaders of their groups and 84 intermediary members were detained. 8 clandestine drug laboratories were also exposed.
20 of these drug criminals were involved in the distribution of psychotropic drugs, 28 were involved in the distribution of traditional drugs. 41 were involved in the distribution of synthetic drugs through online drug stores.
While 14 clandestine drug laboratories were identified over the past 2023, eight drug laboratories were identified in January-February of this year. Three of the drug laboratories were clandestine workshops engaged in the production of psychotropic substances, and five were organized drug laboratories producing synthetic drugs.
As a result of urgent measures, in January-February, 41 kilograms of traditional drugs, more than 100 kilograms of synthetic drugs, about 200 thousand psychotropic drugs equivalent to 1 million doses, and about two tons of precursors were withdrawn from illegal circulation.
It was found that these organized drug groups had been engaged in criminal activity for an average period of 3 months to 10 years.
Organized drug groups transported an average of more than 1 million psychotropic drugs per year, and 2-2.5 tons of narcotics such as hashish and opium per year. The online drug store distributed an average of 350 kilograms per year, and 700-800 kilograms of synthetic narcotics equivalent to 4 million doses over three years, using the "zakladka" method.
Drug trafficking groups actively distributed various types of drugs in a total of 40 districts and cities of Tashkent, Namangan, Andijan, Samarkand, and Syrdarya regions. Drug trafficking was of a cross-border and virtual nature, and was smuggled into the territory of the republic from Afghanistan through Surkhandarya, from Kyrgyzstan through Namangan and Andijan regions, and from Kazakhstan through Tashkent region.
