SGB Seizes Over 2.3 Tons of Narcotics in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The fight against international drug trafficking and the domestic illicit turnover of prohibited substances in the Republic of Uzbekistan has moved to a qualitatively new level.

According to official data from the State Security Service (SGB), including the Frontier Troops, a total of 2 tons 304 kilograms of various narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were seized from illicit turnover during the first half of 2026 in the course of coordinated actions with other law enforcement agencies.

Cannabinoids and heavy opiates predominate in the structure of the seized batches, but a high proportion of modern psychoactive compounds is also recorded. The seizure statistics for the reporting period are distributed as follows:

• Hashish — 1 ton 567.4 kg
• Opium — 312.8 kg
• Marijuana — 231.1 kg
• Synthetic drugs (various types) — 78.9 kg
• Heroin — 29.3 kg
• Potent medicinal preparations — more than 300,000 units

The special services are paying particular attention to dismantling the domestic infrastructure for the production of designer drugs distributed through online stores. As a result of targeted operational search activities in Tashkent, Tashkent Region, and Andijan Region, the activities of six clandestine drug laboratories were completely suppressed, with 36.5 kg of finished synthetics confiscated from them. In particular, a high-profile operation took place in February in the Andijan District, where two local citizens launched large-scale production; law enforcement officers seized 26 kg of mephedrone, as well as large volumes of precursors and chemical raw materials.

A new challenge for law enforcement officials has been attempts to smuggle potent pharmaceutical preparations from abroad under the guise of legal consumer goods, followed by their packaging in domestic illegal workshops. Since the beginning of the year, six such packaging operations have been liquidated, and criminal cases have been initiated against the organizers.

Given the transboundary nature of drug crime, the SGB is actively developing international cooperation. Within the framework of partnership with the competent authorities of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, 19 joint special operations (including controlled deliveries) were successfully conducted over the 2025–2026 period. The result of this operational cooperation was the detention of 33 members of transnational groups and the liquidation of supply channels, during which over 506 kg of narcotic drugs were seized. At present, the SGB, together with foreign colleagues, continues operational measures to identify and detain drug business organizers directing criminal processes from outside the republic.