During January-June 2023, the results of the fight against drug addiction and the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors have been comparatively analyzed and summarized by the Permanent Working Group of the State Commission.

   During the months of January-June of this year, as a result of the complex investigative measures implemented by law enforcement agencies in the field of combating drug addiction and illegal drug trafficking, a total of 5,881 criminal facts were discovered. Of them, 2,048 were related to the illegal sale of narcotic drugs, 3,638 were related to the illegal acquisition and possession of narcotic drugs, 166 were related to the illegal cultivation of narcotic plants, and 29 were related to other crimes of this category.

   According to the discovered facts,4 tons 623 kg 028,027 g of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were confiscated from illegal circulation of which 1 ton 517 kg 650,954 g was heroin, 2 tons 510 kg 387,573 g was marijuana, 183 kg 113,261 g was opium, 50 kg 885,902 was hashish, 247 kg 007.907 g were psychotropic substances, 113 kg 982.43 g were other drugs. Also, during the specified period, 38,418 pills of methadone, 8,476 hemp plants, as well as 3 kg 153,268 g, 7,631 capsules and 953 pills of powerful substances and 40,682 g of precursors were taken from illegal circulation.

   During the reporting period, under the organization of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the participation of the representatives of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the State Border Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan and with the participation of representatives of other relevant institutions, 438,018 wild narcotic plants weighing 147 tons, 477 kg, and 276.98 grams were identified and destroyed accordingly.

   During the relevant period, 4,277 people were brought to criminal responsibility for illegal drug trafficking, 4,179 of them were men, 98 were women. 49 of the people brought to criminal responsibility are citizens of foreign countries.

   142 facts related to the smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into the territory of the country were discovered by the law enforcement agencies, and according to those facts, the total weight of 1 ton 959 kg 617,071 g and 38418 pills methadone drugs and 7631 capsules, 953 pills the active ingredient has been removed.

   In total, 135 of the discovered crimes were committed in a group and according to those facts, 1 ton 017 kg 567.9 g and 190 pieces of methadone drug, psychotropic substance and 157.5 g of powerful substance were confiscated. 1530 criminal acts were committed by previously convicted persons and 958 kg 088.4 g of various types of narcotics and psychotropic substances were confiscated from them.

   The total value of 4 tons 623 kg 028,027 g of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances seized from illegal circulation during January-June 2023 is estimated as 219 million 430 thousand AZN.

   The analysis shows that, compared to January-June 2022, during the corresponding period of 2023, the total number of facts detected by law enforcement agencies related to the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances was 103, the number of facts related to illegal acquisition and possession without the purpose of sale was 175, the number of crimes related to smuggling was 8, the number of persons brought to responsibility was 186, and the weight of drugs removed from illegal circulation increased by 1 ton, 204 kg, 707,107 g. In particular, the number of facts related to the illegal sale of drugs decreased by 5, the number of other types of criminal facts decreased by 27, the number of facts related to the illegal cultivation of narcotic plants by 40, and the number of group crimes decreased by 31.

   The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan directed 44,510 people to the National Narcology Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan to identify all types of intoxication.

   Among them, 744 of 1377 people who underwent a medical examination to determine their drug use were found to be users, and necessary measures were taken in this regard.

   During the reporting period, 5 Action Plans were signed by the Working Group with the relevant institutions, and a total of 89 events (49 educational meetings, 26 trainings, 3 cultural-mass events, 1 film broadcast on the YouTube channel, 1 painting competition, 7 social projects, 1 bike ride) were held within the framework of educational activities and 1 marathon) was organized.

During the relevant period, the "802" hotline phone call service received 652 citizen appeals, of which 88 were related to illegal drug trafficking, 228 were related to drug addiction treatment, and 336 were related to other issues (re-applying, explaining the terms of the legislation, procedures for compulsory treatment, etc). 316 letters have been addressed to the relevant authorities to take appropriate measures on the mentioned appeals.

   So, in order to prevent the spread of drugs and drug addiction through the 802 hotline call service ,coordination with the relevant organizations and citizens was ensured in an efficient manner, relevant criminal cases were initiated based on the information provided on the illegal circulation of drugs, and a large amount of drugs were seized from the illegal circulation,drug users are referred to specialized medical institutions for treatment based on their voluntary requests,  psychological support for families suffering from drug addiction and the provisions of the current legislation were explained and necessary recommendations were given.

Permanent Working Group of the State Commission for Combating Drug Addiction and Illegal Trafficking in Narcotics.