Uzbekistan Dismantles 13 Drug Trafficking Groups in April Crackdown

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —In April, Uzbekistan intensified its fight against organized drug crime through large-scale coordinated operational measures conducted by law enforcement agencies and their operational units, authorities said on 15 May 2026.

As a result, the activities of 13 organized drug trafficking groups were disrupted. Law enforcement detained two leaders of these groups and 35 members. Authorities also identified four underground drug laboratories, dismantled one online drug store, and carried out a controlled international delivery operation.

A total of 285 kilograms of traditional narcotic drugs, 410,000 units of psychotropic substances, and 42 liters of illegal precursors were seized from illicit circulation. According to estimates by specialists, these criminal networks could have distributed up to 2.6 million units of psychotropic substances over the course of a year, along with significant quantities of hashish, opium, and synthetic drugs.

Additionally, within broader anti-organized crime efforts, 10 major criminal groups were dismantled, with 10 leaders and 50 members detained for involvement in serious crimes, including extortion and armed robberies in several regions of the country.

Officials also noted that an international joint operation was conducted with the participation of law enforcement agencies of the Republic of Tajikistan.