The results of the fight against drug addiction and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors during January-November 2024 were comparatively analyzed and summarized by the Permanent Working Group of the State Commission.

As a result of the complex operational-search measures carried out by law enforcement agencies in the field of combating drug addiction and illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, a total of 8,549 criminal facts were detected. Of these, 2,837 were related to the illegal sale of narcotic drugs, 5,478 to the illegal acquisition and storage of narcotic drugs, 228 to the illegal cultivation of narcotic plants, and 6 to other crimes.

Based on the identified cases, a total of 6 tons 403 kg 647.445 grams of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were seized from illegal circulation. This included 524 kg 059.659 grams of heroin, 5 tons 313 kg 809.136 grams of marijuana, 164 kg 849.07 grams of opium, 38 kg 852.443 grams of hashish, 205 kg 385.123 grams of psychotropic substances, and 156 kg 692.014 grams of other narcotic substances. Additionally, during the same period, 38,807 units of methadone, 15,392 cannabis plants, 429 grams and 240 tablets of potent substances, and 10 grams of precursors were confiscated from illegal circulation.

During the reporting period, 2,864,953 wild narcotic plants were identified and destroyed in an area of ​​1,439.6 hectares, 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 agencies.

The total value of 6 tons 403 kg 647.445 grams of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances removed from illegal circulation is estimated at 154 million 579 thousand AZN.

6,693 people were brought to criminal responsibility in connection with illegal drug trafficking, of which 2 people were under the age of 16-18, 498 people were under the age of 18-25, 1,012 people were under the age of 26-29, and 5,181 people were 30 years old and older.Among those brought to criminal liability, 59 were foreign nationals, including 25 from the Islamic Republic of Iran, 10 from Russia, 13 from Turkey, 7 from Georgia, 1 from Uzbekistan, 2 from Ukraine, and 1 from the United Arab Emirates. A total of 212 kg 424.217 grams of various types of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were confiscated from the foreign nationals.

Law enforcement agencies revealed 235 facts related to the smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into the country, and based on these facts, a total weight of 2 tons 406 kg 149,481 grams of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, 38,807 methadone pills, 1,710 pieces and 44 grams of a potent substance were seized from illegal circulation.

In total, 313 of the detected crimes were committed in a group and, based on these facts, 2 tons 471 kg 706,851 grams of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and 213.4 grams of highly potent substances were confiscated from illegal trafficking.

2888 criminal facts were committed by previously convicted persons, of which 1 ton 895 kg 031.5 g of various types of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were confiscated.

Compared to January-November of the previous year, the number of facts detected by law enforcement agencies during the corresponding period of 2024 related to the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances was 1209, the number of facts related to the illegal sale of narcotic drugs was 321, the number of facts related to the illegal acquisition and storage of narcotic drugs without the purpose of sale was 798, the number of facts related to the illegal cultivation of narcotic plants was 66, the number of other types of criminal facts was 24, the number of crimes related to smuggling was 31, the weight of narcotic drugs removed from illegal circulation was 315 kg 383.968 g, and the number of persons brought to justice was 1073.

At the same time, the number of group crimes increased by 7 facts.

Compared to the 11 months of 2023, the weight of strong narcotic drugs removed from illegal circulation during the corresponding period of 2024, including heroin, decreased by 1 ton 362 kg 590.155 g (72.2%), opium by 100 kg 304.898 g (37.8%), hashish by 14 kg 607.199 g (27.3%), cocaine by 750.831 g (100%), and psychotropic substances by 202 kg 566.206 g (49.7%).

The analysis shows that approximately 95% of the above-mentioned narcotic drugs of foreign origin were brought into the country through smuggling and other illegal means.

Of the various types of narcotic drugs confiscated, 5 tons 313 kg 809.136 g (82.9%) were marijuana. Of this, 4 tons 638 kg 315,436 grams (87.2%) were of foreign origin, enriched with psychotropic substances. 675 kg 493.7 grams (12.7%) were illegally cultivated in greenhouses, basements, forest lowlands and riverbeds in accordance with climatic conditions within the country.

Organized by the Working Group of the State Commission, on April 16-17 of this year, the Commission for the Destruction of Confiscated Narcotics, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors destroyed 3 tons 430 kg of various types of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, 60,189 methadone pills, 58,773 pieces of narcotic hemp plants, as well as 3,477 pills, 19,341 capsules, 24 vials, 4 ampoules, 81,446 grams of potent substances, and 248 kg 293,151 grams of various types of narcotic drugs, which were subject to destruction orders in 17 criminal cases and were kept in the State Border and State Security Services on July 22 of this year.

Also, in 43 regions and cities, various types of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, including hemp plants, were destroyed by burning by regional and city commissions, based on 1,990 judgments and decisions that were confiscated in small and large quantities in accordance with the legislation.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan referred 82,278 people to the Republican Narcology Center of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan to determine all types of intoxication. Out of 2,840 individuals medically examined to determine drug use, 1,792 were identified as users, and necessary measures were taken accordingly.

Currently, 849 patients are receiving treatment under the methadone substitution therapy program across three facilities: 328 at the Republican Narcology Center, 378 at the AIDS Prevention Center, and 143 at the Sumgait Narcology Center.

According to the information provided by the Republican AIDS Control Center, a decrease in the number of new cases of infection of drug addicts with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is observed in the country. As of the end of November of this year, 70 people (6.6%) among Azerbaijani citizens infected with HIV were injection drug users.

During January-November of this year, the “802” hotline telephone service received 1,601 citizen appeals, of which 146 were related to illegal drug trafficking, 110 to drug addiction treatment, and 1,345 to other issues (re-application, explanation of the provisions of the legislation, procedures for compulsory treatment, etc.). 256 letters were addressed to the relevant authorities to take appropriate measures on the mentioned appeals.

Through the 802 hotline service, operational coordination with relevant organizations and citizens was ensured to prevent the spread of narcotic drugs and drug addiction. Based on the information provided regarding the illegal circulation of narcotics, appropriate criminal cases were initiated, and significant quantities of narcotic substances were seized from illegal circulation. Drug users who voluntarily sought help were referred to specialized medical institutions for treatment, while families suffering from drug addiction were provided with psychological support and informed about the provisions of the existing legislation, along with necessary recommendations.

During the reporting period, a total of 155 events (75 enlightenment and organizational events, 66 trainings, 6 social projects, 2 intellectual competitions, 1 marathon and participation in 5 TV programs) were organized by the Working Group of the State Commission with the involvement of relevant state agencies.

Permanent Working Group of the State Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and Illicit Trafficking of Narcotics