Uzbekistan Destroys 3,500 Tonnes of Narcotics, Authorities Target Digital Drug Rings
Uzbekistan eradicated approximately 3,500 tonnes of illicit narcotics last year. The figure was announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his welcoming address to delegates at a high-level anti-drug forum in Samarkand.
Detailing the scale of recent law enforcement operations, the president confirmed that authorities successfully resolved over 15,000 drug-related criminal cases over the past 12 months.
The crackdown also resulted in the closure of 14 clandestine drug laboratories and the dismantling of 72 online shops caught dealing in dangerous substances.
However, the president expressed concern regarding the demographic profile of the offenders. He noted that young people are responsible for a third of all drug crimes, with individuals aged between 15 and 30 comprising the most vulnerable risk group.
«This shows how great a threat this vice is to the nation’s gene pool,» Mirziyoyev warned.
In response to the growing crisis among younger demographics, the government has implemented widespread public awareness campaigns. These initiatives actively involve military veterans, local mahalla representatives and the general public.
According to the president, this community-driven approach is already yielding highly positive outcomes.
The fight against drug addiction has also sparked a massive grassroots response. A new volunteer movement named «Anti-Narco» has been established, bringing together more than 17,000 young Uzbek citizens dedicated to tackling the issue head-on.
Furthermore, the nation is turning to modern technology to stay ahead of sophisticated criminal networks. An AI Hackathon programme has been officially launched across all regions of the country, specifically challenging developers to create artificial intelligence solutions capable of detecting and preventing the illicit sale of narcotics.
