During the months of January-September 2024, the results of the fight against drug addiction and the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors were analyzed and summarized in a comparative manner by the Permanent Working Group of the State Commission.

A total of 7,668 criminal facts were discovered as a result of the complex investigative measures implemented by law enforcement agencies in the field of combating drug addiction and illegal drug trafficking. Of them, 2,402 were related to the illegal sale of narcotic drugs, 5,040 were related to illegal acquisition and possession of narcotic drugs, 221 were related to illegal planting and cultivation of narcotic plants, and 5 were related to other crimes.

According to the discovered facts, 5 tons, 480 kg, 818,632 g of narcotics and psychotropic substances confiscated from illegal circulation.Of them, 505 kg 794,459 g was heroin, 4 tons 493 kg 881,15 g was marijuana, 146 kg 571,141 g was opium, 30 kg 967,701 was hashish,  174 kg 569,787 g was psychotropic substances, and  129 kg, 034,394 g was other drugs. Also, during the specified period, 18,758 pieces of methadone, 14,314 pieces of hemp, 44 grams and 240 pills of powerful substances were taken from illegal circulation.

During the reporting period, 2,854,755 wild narcotic plants from 1434.8 hectares were identified and destroyed accordingly that was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan with the participation of 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 other relevant institutions.

The total value of 5 tons 480 kg 818,632 g of narcotics and psychotropic substances removed from illegal circulation is estimated as 130 million 931 thousand AZN.

5781 people were brought to criminal liability related to illegal drug trafficking, among them 1 person under 16-18 years old, 423 people under 18-25 years old, 889 people under 26-29 years old, and 4468 people over 30 years old. 5621 of those people were men and 160 were women.

A total of 111 kg, 047,894 g of various types of narcotics and psychotropic substances were taken from 48 foreign citizens who were held responsible.

192 facts related to the smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into the territory of the country were discovered by the law enforcement agencies, according to these facts, the total weight of 1 ton of 820 kg 886,932 g of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, 18,758 methadone pills, 1,710 and 44 g of a powerful substance was extracted.

In total, 249 of the detected crimes were committed in a group, and according to those facts, 1 ton of 760 kg of 859,311 g of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and 85.3 g of powerful substances were confiscated from illegal circulation. 2443 criminal acts were committed by previously convicted persons, and 1 ton of 714 kg 487.6 g of various types of narcotics and psychotropic substances were confiscated from them.

Compared to the period from January to September of the previous year, during the corresponding period in 2024, the number of cases identified by law enforcement agencies related to the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances was 652. The number of cases related to the illegal sale of narcotics was 453, while the number of cases related to the illegal possession of narcotics without the intent to sell was 111. There were 63 cases related to the illegal cultivation of narcotic plants, 25 cases of other types of crimes, and 24 cases related to smuggling. The total weight of narcotic substances removed from illegal circulation was 726 kg 724.392 g, and the number of individuals held accountable decreased by 702.

At the same time, the number of group crimes has increased by 8 facts.

Compared to the 9th month of 2023, during the corresponding period of 2024, the weight of strong drugs, including heroin, removed from illegal circulation was 334 kg 752,245 g (72.5%), the weight of opium was 101 kg 460.67 g ( 40.9%), the weight of hashish decreased by 20 kg 616,293 g (40%), the weight of psychotropic substances decreased by 188 kg 568,546 g (51.9%).

4 tons, 493 kg, 881.15 g (82%) of confiscated different types of drugs were marijuana. Of this, 3 tons and 888 kg (86.9%) were enriched with substances of foreign origin. 605 kg (13.5%) were illegally cultivated in the country, in greenhouses, basements, forest plains and river beds, according to climatic conditions.

Under the organization of the Working Group of the State Commission, on April 16-17 of the current year, the Destruction Commission made a decision to destroy 3 tons and 430 kg of various narcotic substances and psychotropic drugs, which were subject to 1,741 court rulings. This included 60,189 methadone tablets, 58,773 narcotic cannabis plants, as well as 3,477 tablets, 19,341 capsules, 24 vials, 4 ampoules, and 81.446 grams of potent substances. Additionally, on July 22 of the current year, 248 kg and 293.151 grams of various narcotic substances, for which destruction orders had been issued in 17 criminal cases held by the State Border and State Security services, were destroyed by incineration.

Also, 28 kg 271,747 g of various types of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances confiscated in 34 cities and districts in accordance with the legislation, including 226 hemp plants, were destroyed by burning by the city and district commissions.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan directed 65,791 people were referred to the Republican Narcology Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan by  the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the determination of all types of drunkenness.Among them, 1441 of 2225 people who were medically examined to determine their use of drugs were found to be users, and necessary measures were taken in this regard.

Currently, 877 patients are receiving treatment under the methadone substitution treatment program in 3 centers (335 at the Republic Drug Center, 391 at the AIDS Center, 151 at the Sumgayit Drug Center).

According to the information provided by the Republican AIDS Center, there is a decrease in the number of new cases of human immunodeficiency virus infection among drug addicts in the country. By the end of September of the current year, 55 people (5.9%) of Azerbaijani citizens infected with HIV were injection drug users.

During the months of January-September of the current year, the "802" hotline phone call service received 1,443 citizen appeals, of which 125 were related to illegal drug trafficking, 103 were related to drug addiction treatment, and 1,215 were related to other issues (re-applying, explaining the terms of the legislation, procedures for compulsory treatment, etc.). 228 letters have been addressed to the relevant authorities to take appropriate measures on the mentioned appeals.

The 802 hotline service aims to prevent the spread of narcotic substances and drug addiction by ensuring operational coordination with relevant organizations and citizens. Based on the information provided regarding the illegal circulation of narcotic substances, appropriate criminal cases have been initiated, and a significant amount of narcotics has been seized from illegal circulation. Drug users have been directed to specialized medical institutions for treatment based on voluntary applications, and psychological support has been provided to families suffering from drug addiction, along with explanations of the relevant provisions of existing legislation and necessary recommendations.

During the reporting period, a total of 129 events were organized under the coordination of the Working Group of the State Commission, involving relevant state agencies, including 65 awareness-raising and organizational events, 53 training sessions, 6 social projects, 1 marathon, and participation in 4 television programs.

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