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 shipment of drugs from Iran into the republic, has demonstrated that Iranian drug dealers will stop at nothing to spread narcotics, as there are not just large sums, but very large sums of money at stake. This is despite Iran having one of the strictest legal frameworks regarding drug traffickers, where couriers face punishments ranging from long prison terms to the death penalty (the law applies not only to Iranian citizens but also to foreigners).
It is naive to assume that only the border security systems are improving. The global drug mafia is evolving in parallel. Moreover, it has all the resources to transport drugs along designated routes, and Azerbaijan is located on one of the main routes — the North-Balkan route. As is known, the bulk of drugs on this route are trafficked to European countries via Iran and Azerbaijan. Considering that Afghanistan, which shares a long border with Iran, is one of the primary producers of narcotics, the drug trafficking route to Europe through Iran, and subsequently through neighboring Azerbaijan, has long been established. In short, Iran serves as a key transit route for smuggled opiates from Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Gulf countries, Russia, and Europe.
Meanwhile, the interception of a drone carrying drugs was carried out by Azerbaijani security forces for the first time, and it appears to be just the beginning. After this, the agencies responsible for security, both within the country and along its borders, must remain vigilant. To be fair, the Azerbaijani security forces deserve praise for their efforts, as it is no easy task to safeguard national security in an era of cutting-edge and information technologies.
However, opium-based drugs produced in Afghanistan will continue to flow into Central Asian countries, and drug shipments along traditional routes remain steady, as stated by various expert circles. At the same time, the composition of seized drugs is changing, with methamphetamine playing an increasingly significant 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, exceeding 1,000 tons 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 95% drop compared to 2021.
It should be noted that attempts have been made to block the Balkan route, and more than once. Furthermore, official statements have been made about it, but the volume of smuggled drugs in Azerbaijan continues to grow despite tighter controls at land borders. The majority of drugs seized in Azerbaijan consist of 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 the drugs circulating in Azerbaijan originate from Iran, making it difficult to curb the flow.
As experts and law enforcement officials noted in a survey, border closures have not led to a significant reduction in drug smuggling, indicating that drug dealers are finding alternative methods. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan serves as a shield, protecting Europe from drug trafficking and illegal migration.
Over the past 10 years, the number of crimes related to the illegal circulation of narcotics, 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 circulation, compared to 2,921 kg during the same period of the previous year. Although there has been a slight decrease, it is minimal, and given the grim forecasts from experts, security forces must remain on high alert, especially now that drones have come into play.
Ramella Ibrahimkhalilova
Translated from minval.az
