Drug Trafficking - The Times Of Central Asia

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Ministerial Dismissals

Uzbekistan Fires Counter-Narcotics Chief as Drug Trade Surges

In late January, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev sacked a series of high-ranking officials in the Interior Ministry, National Guard, and the Emergency Situations Ministry. Their dismissals for corruption overshadowed the firing of the director of the Agency for Control of Narcotics and Illegal Firearms, who was let go for failing badly to combat illegal trafficking and use of drugs. Poor Results Ravshan Mamatov was appointed director of the National Center for Narcotics Control in August 2024. In July 2025, a presidential decree transformed the center into the Agency for Control of Narcotics and Illegal Firearms. On January 27, President Mirziyoyev criticized the work of the Narcotics Control Agency and warned Mamatov to engage in more than simply “analytical work and international cooperation.” Mirziyoyev dismissed Mamatov the next day, and it was not a surprise. Exactly two weeks earlier, Bahodir Kurbanov, the head of Uzbekistan’s State Security Service (SGB), spoke at a session of the country’s Security Council, chaired by President Mirziyoyev. Kurbanov detailed security measures along Uzbekistan’s borders, including the use of military surveillance drones. The security chief also spoke about illegal narcotics, noting the amount of drugs seized in 2024 was some 1,700 kilograms and that figure more than doubled to 3,600 kilograms in 2025. Kurbanov noted the 2025 figure included more than 180 kilograms of synthetic drugs and more than one million doses of psychotropic drugs. Additionally, the number of people arrested for illegal narcotics went from some 2,600 in 2024 to some 4,500 in 2025. In his January 27 comments, President Mirziyoyev said that during the last three months, the authorities in the capital Tashkent, had detained members from approximately 50 major narcotics trafficking groups and seized some 500 kilograms of illegal drugs. “Last year, more than 1,500 drug users were officially registered in the capital,” Mirziyoyev said, noting, “The saddest part is that the number of drug addicts living in the shadows is even higher.” The Uzbek president added that most were young people and that “in their quest to raise money, drug addicts naturally resort to crime.” Mirziyoyev also criticized the penal system, remarking that a significant number of people convicted for illegal narcotics were released from jail before serving even half their sentences. Mirziyoyev said that this has led to a 25% increase in the number of repeat offenders. Mamatov addressed Uzbekistan’s parliament on December 17, admitting the amount of synthetic drugs being seized had increased phenomenally during the last five years and that the number of crimes involving illegal narcotics had doubled during that time. Mamatov claimed that in a number of cases, “drug trafficking was being facilitated by officials,” though he did not name any specific officials. A Regional Problem The other Central Asian countries are facing the same problems as Uzbekistan. The amounts of drugs seized and people arrested have been growing in the last few years and continue to increase. Part of the problem is that the region’s counter-narcotics agencies are facing a new situation in combating the illegal drug...

Drug Trafficking

Former Head of Turkmen Railways on Trial in Russia Over Alleged Drug Smuggling

The former head of Turkmenistan’s state rail company is facing trial in Russia on charges of large-scale drug smuggling, as reports emerge of a covert, high-level campaign to secure his release. Khydyr Rakhmanov, who led Demiryollary JSC (Turkmen Railways), was detained on October 4, 2025, at Moscow's Domodedovo airport while allegedly attempting to import LSD. Russian authorities subsequently opened a criminal case under Article 229.1 of the Criminal Code, “Smuggling of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.” He has been held in custody since October 6, and on December 4, the Domodedovo court extended his pretrial detention by another two months. Sources cited by turkmen.news allege Rakhmanov is charged under the most severe subsection of the statute, which covers large-scale smuggling and carries a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $13,000. The law does not allow for a suspended sentence. Despite this, efforts appear to be underway to negotiate Rakhmanov’s return to Turkmenistan. According to turkmen.news, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, led by Rashid Meredov, is personally involved in an unofficial campaign to secure his release. Sources further claim that $3 million was transferred from Ashgabat via diplomatic mail as part of a backchannel attempt to reach a settlement with Russian authorities. Roman Kuchin, a Russian lawyer with prior experience in the prosecutor’s office and close ties to legal and political networks, has reportedly been retained to advocate for a suspended sentence and eventual deportation of Rakhmanov. Notably, there is no public information about the case on the Russian court’s official website. Earlier reports suggested that Turkmen special service operatives traveled to Russia to conduct direct negotiations with law enforcement officials. The situation underscores Turkmenistan’s behind-the-scenes influence campaign and raises questions about transparency and diplomatic maneuvering in high-stakes criminal cases involving state officials.

Drug Trafficking

Tajik Border Guards Deploy Drones to Intercept Afghan Smugglers

Tajikistan’s border service has reported the elimination of a group of drug smugglers attempting to cross into the country from Afghanistan, according to a broadcast by Tajik state television on November 22. The State Committee for National Security stated that the incident occurred late on November 20 in the Hamadoni district, where border guards detected an illegal crossing at 22:50. Afghan smugglers were located and targeted using a domestically produced drone, marking the first time Tajik border forces have used locally developed unmanned aerial technology in such an operation. Authorities said that on the morning of November 21, officers discovered the bodies of two Afghan nationals at the site, along with five sacks containing 116 packages of narcotics. The fate of the other members of the group remains unclear, as the report did not specify whether they were detained or escaped. State television noted an uptick in confrontations with Afghan drug traffickers over the past six months. The border service recorded ten armed incidents during this period, up from six in the first half of 2024. Four Afghan citizens were killed in these encounters. Most clashes occurred near Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, a region where smugglers are known to carry weapons and modern equipment. Tajikistan continues to serve as a critical transit route for narcotics originating in Afghanistan. In the first half of 2025, authorities seized 1.69 tons of drugs in border regions, accounting for more than half of all narcotics confiscated nationwide. Officials attribute the increased smuggling activity to ongoing instability in Afghanistan, which has prompted Tajikistan to tighten border security and deepen international cooperation in anti-narcotics efforts.

Drug Trafficking

Kazakhstan Proposes Cash Rewards for Citizens Who Report Drug Crimes

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is developing a plan to financially reward citizens who provide information leading to the resolution of drug-related crimes. The initiative was announced by Kuandyk Alzhanov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Combating Drug Crime, during a press conference in Astana. “We are constantly improving legislation related to drug enforcement. Penalties for drug trafficking have been strengthened, and the list of controlled substances is regularly updated,” Alzhanov said. “We are now working with the Prosecutor General’s Office and the National Bank to design a mechanism for converting seized criminal assets into state revenue, and to establish a reward system for citizens who assist in uncovering drug crimes.” Alzhanov noted that regional and city akims of republican significance will now be personally accountable for the drug situation in their jurisdictions. The Ministry has also launched a public testing initiative called Test in Every Home, encouraging Kazakhstani parents to use rapid drug tests to monitor their children. “These tests can identify drug use within minutes and help detect addiction at an early stage,” Alzhanov explained. From January to September 2025, law enforcement agencies seized over 26 tons of narcotics, marking a 35% increase compared to the same period last year. The seizures included more than nine tons of marijuana, over one ton of synthetic drugs, and more than 600 kilograms of hashish. The remainder consisted of raw cannabis plants. Authorities also reported a sharp rise in illicit indoor drug cultivation. In 2025, police shut down 93 illegal greenhouse “phytolaboratories”, a fivefold increase compared to 2024. Alzhanov highlighted tougher penalties for synthetic drug production, including new legislation introduced earlier this year mandating life imprisonment for producers. In 2024, 29 synthetic drug labs were dismantled and 419 kilograms of synthetic drugs were seized. In the first nine months of 2025, authorities closed 12 labs and seized over one ton of synthetic substances, almost three times last year’s amount. These seizures prevented nearly 3 million single doses from entering the illegal market. During the same period, more than 6,000 drug-related offenses were documented, including 1,700 cases of drug sales and 300 cases of large-scale drug storage. Police also dismantled 16 organized criminal groups, three of which operated transnationally. Sixteen group leaders and 60 active members were detained. Authorities also seized roughly 24 tons of chemical substances, including 17 tons of precursors, as well as equipment used in synthetic drug manufacturing. In addition, officials recorded 379 cases of cultivation of narcotic plants, 117 smuggling incidents, and 170 cases of drug-related propaganda. Volunteer-supported raids removed over 25,000 graffiti and online drug resource links, while more than 35,000 bank cards tied to drug trafficking were blocked. Approximately $4.6 million in related funds were frozen. As reported previously by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakh authorities seized about six tons of drugs in the first half of 2025 and 21 tons over the entire previous year. This year’s escalation in enforcement underscores a marked intensification of the government’s anti-drug efforts.

Drug Trafficking

Uzbek Authorities Dismantle Major Telegram-Based Drug Trafficking Network

Uzbek customs officials have dismantled a large-scale regional drug trafficking network operating via the Telegram messaging app, revealing one of Central Asia’s most extensive online narcotics markets. Several key distributors were arrested in a series of coordinated operations carried out in August and September 2025, according to Uzbekistan’s customs service. At the center of the investigation was a darknet drug marketplace known as “Deadpool,” which had been active since 2017 and maintained a following of around 4,000 subscribers. On August 31, a special operation in the Khodjaobod district of Andijan region led to the arrest of a suspect caught with 602 grams of alpha-PVP, a synthetic stimulant. The drugs had been smuggled from Kyrgyzstan. Investigators determined that the individual had been working with the Deadpool network since 2023 and was involved in distributing nearly 50 kilograms of synthetic drugs over a two-year period. A second major operation was conducted on September 10 in the Zangiota district of Tashkent region, where two additional suspects were detained while receiving a package containing 492.2 grams of clephedrone. Authorities stated that both individuals had been affiliated with the network for at least six months and were responsible for distributing over 12,500 doses of synthetic drugs. Each distributor reportedly managed a network of at least 10 “zakladchiki,” or low-level dealers, who placed drugs in public spaces such as parks and areas near educational institutions across multiple districts of Tashkent. A criminal case has been opened, and investigations are ongoing. The crackdown in Uzbekistan coincides with a broader regional effort to combat synthetic drug trafficking. In Kazakhstan, Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov reported that authorities seized 6.4 tons of narcotics during the first half of 2025. This included 570 kilograms of synthetic substances, nearly double the amount seized during the same period last year and led to the closure of 103 illegal drug laboratories. Kazakhstan's law enforcement also blocked more than 17,000 drug-related websites, detained 474 suspects, and disrupted 63 smuggling operations. Among those arrested were 28 administrators of similar Telegram drug distribution channels.

Narcotics

Kazakhstan Drug Seizure Tops Six Tons in First Half of 2025

Kazakh authorities seized 6.4 tons of narcotic substances in the first half of 2025, Interior Minister Yerzhan Sadenov announced at a recent meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on Crime Prevention. For comparison, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported a total of 21 tons of drugs confiscated in 2024. That figure included 547 kilograms of synthetic substances, 2.5 kilograms of heroin, over 10 tons of marijuana, and 572 kilograms of hashish. Authorities also recorded more than 8,000 drug-related offenses, dismantled 63 drug laboratories, and identified 7,400 internet resources involved in the distribution of drug-related content. Between January and June 2025, the volume of synthetic drugs seized nearly doubled compared to the same period last year, reaching 570 kilograms. In addition, law enforcement blocked over 17,000 drug-related websites and detained 474 individuals on drug charges, including 28 administrators of Telegram channels. Authorities shut down 103 underground drug labs and uncovered 63 drug smuggling cases. Twenty-one criminal cases have been opened against organized drug trafficking groups, including three transnational networks. Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova reported that more than 17,000 individuals suffering from drug addiction are registered with medical facilities across Kazakhstan. While the number of opioid users has declined by 50 percent over the past five years, there has been a marked rise in addictions linked to synthetic stimulants and poly-drug use. In response to these developments, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov has ordered the implementation of stricter mechanisms to identify and block online drug content and to restrict financial transactions associated with drug trafficking. “The increase in drug use among young people is particularly concerning,” Bektenov stated. “Distribution occurs via the internet, postal services, hidden ‘stash’ drops, and anonymous electronic payments, removing direct contact between dealers and consumers.” The Prime Minister also called for tighter control over the dispensation of addictive pharmaceuticals, the expansion of rehabilitation centers including those for minors, and stronger efforts for early detection and treatment of drug dependence. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Central Asia remains a significant transit corridor for narcotics smuggled from Afghanistan. However, the situation is becoming increasingly complex, as more drugs are now being consumed within the region itself.