Use of advanced technologies – Aze.Media

A joint operation by the State Security Service and the State Border Service of Azerbaijan, which resulted in the interception of a drone, thus preventing a large drug shipment from Iran to the republic, has shown that Iranian drug dealers will stop at nothing to spread narcotics, because it is not just possible not large sums, but very large sums of money. This is despite Iran having one of the strictest legal frameworks regarding drug trafficking, where couriers face penalties ranging from long prison sentences to the death penalty (the law applies not only to Iranian citizens, but also to foreigners).

It is naive to assume that only border security systems will improve. At the same time, the global drug mafia is developing. In addition, it has all the resources to transport drugs along designated routes, and Azerbaijan is located on one of the main routes – the Northern Balkan route. It is known that the majority of drugs on this route are smuggled to European countries via Iran and Azerbaijan. Considering that Afghanistan, which shares a long border with Iran, is one of the main producers of drugs, the drug trafficking route to Europe via Iran and then neighboring Azerbaijan has long been established. In short, Iran serves as a major transit route for smuggled opiates from Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Gulf States, Russia and Europe.

Meanwhile, the interception of a drone carrying drugs was carried out by Azerbaijani security forces for the first time, and this appears to be just the beginning. Thereafter, the authorities responsible for security must remain vigilant both within the country and along its borders. To be fair, the Azerbaijani security forces deserve praise for their efforts, as ensuring national security in the era of advanced and information technologies is not an easy task.

However, opium drugs manufactured in Afghanistan will continue to flow to Central Asian countries and drug shipments via traditional routes remain stable, according to various expert sources. At the same time, the composition of the drugs confiscated is changing, with methamphetamine playing an increasingly important role.

According to the annual report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Myanmar produced a record amount of opium in 2023, surpassing the 1,000 metric ton mark for the first time in over 20 years, surpassing Afghanistan. After the Taliban came to power and introduced a ban on poppy cultivation, only 330 tons of opium were produced in Afghanistan last year – a drop of 95% compared to 2021.

It should be noted that there have been attempts to block the Balkan route more than once. In addition, there are official statements on this, but despite stricter controls at land borders, the volume of drug smuggling in Azerbaijan continues to increase. Most of the drugs seized in Azerbaijan are heroin, marijuana, opium and methamphetamine. Iran, in particular, continues to play a significant role in the supply of synthetic drugs to Azerbaijan. It is estimated that up to 95% of drugs circulating in Azerbaijan come from Iran, making it difficult to stem the flow.

As experts and law enforcement officials noted in a survey, border closures have not led to a significant decline in drug smuggling, suggesting that drug dealers are finding alternative methods. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan acts as a protective shield and protects Europe from drug trafficking and illegal migration.

Over the last decade, the number of crimes related to the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors has increased fivefold (2,709 cases were registered in 2013, compared to 10,057 in 2023).

In the first half of 2024, 2,844 kg of drugs were seized from illegal traffic, compared to 2,921 kg in the same period last year. While there has been a slight decline, it is minimal and given the dire forecasts from experts, security forces must remain on high alert, especially now that drones are coming into play.

Ramella Ibrahimkhalilova

Translated by minval.az