Drug-related crimes in January-June 2024

According to the data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 5674 criminal cases (less for 3,6 percent compared to the corresponding period of the last year) or 30,6 percent of the 18518 cases registered in January-June of the current year, were related to the illicit trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances, of which 67.1 percent involved the illegal purchase, storage, preparation, processing, or transportation of drugs or psychotropic substances in quantities exceeding personal consumption, without intent to sell, 30,0 percent involved the same actions for the purpose of sale, as well as the production, shipping, or illegal sale of these substances, 2,0 percent the illegal cultivation of drug-containing plants, 0,8 percent the illicit trafficking of highly potent or toxic substances for sale, and 0,1 percent other crimes.

During the reporting period, 3856 offenders were detained for the illicit trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances, 34,8 percent of whom had been previously prosecuted. 98,9 percent of offenders were prosecuted, while 1,1 percent were exempted from criminal responsibility in accordance with the law.

67,8 percent of offenders were of working age but had never worked and studied, 3,1 percent were women, and 0,2 percent were foreign nationals. 7,6 percent of offenders were individuals aged 24 and younger, 15,9 percent were aged 25-29, and 76,5 percent were aged 30 and above.

During the first half of this year, 1757 of the recorded crimes were committed by drug addicts, 3 by toxicomania patients, and 2 by individuals under the influence of narcotics. Of the crimes committed by drug addicts, 91,2 percent were related to the illegal trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances, 5,9 percent were thefts, 0,2 percent were fraud, and 2,7 percent were other crimes.

During January-June 2024, 4111,4 kilograms of drugs, psychotropic substances, precursors, and drug-containing plants were confiscated, representing 17,2 percent increase compared to the corresponding period of the last year. 2963,4 kilograms of drugs and psychotropic substances withdrawn from illegal circulation were marijuana, 464,4 kilograms were drug-containing plants cultivated within the country territory, 431,4 kilograms were heroin, 109,5 kilograms were hashish, hashish oil, and resin, 132,7 kilograms were psychotropic substances (of which 132,2 kilograms were methylamphetamine), 15,4 kilograms were other drugs and highly potent substances.