In 2024, 1824 kg of drugs were seized at the same border, indicating a significant increase in smuggling volumes—almost a ton or 50.3%.
Of the total amount of drugs seized this year, 2566 kg were captured in the Khatlon region, while 186 kg were seized in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).
Moreover, Zafar Samad noted a sharp increase in armed clashes with drug traffickers from Afghanistan. In 2025, there were 17 such incidents at the state border, which is significantly more than the 6 cases the previous year.
“Seventeen armed clashes were recorded at the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, resulting in the neutralization of 10 Afghan citizens,” he added. In comparison, in 2024, only three traffickers were “neutralized.”
Samad also reported that as a result of clashes last year, two employees of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of Tajikistan were killed.
The head of the SCNS pointed out the lack of interagency cooperation with Afghan authorities: “There is no cooperation with the authorized bodies of Afghanistan, and no negotiations have been conducted,” he noted, adding that drug smuggling through Tajikistan continues.
Overall, in 2025, Tajik law enforcement seized 5280 kg of narcotic substances, which is 899 kg or 21% more than in 2024. Of this volume, 253.4 kg were psychotropic substances—142 kg more than the previous year, nearly doubling last year's figures. Of these, 247 kg or 97% were methamphetamine.
Last year, the actions of 44 criminal groups involved in the illegal drug trade were thwarted. The SCNS initiated 132 criminal cases against 180 individuals and sent them to court.
In 2024, 22 foreigners were detained in the country for drug trafficking, from whom 275 kg of narcotic substances were seized. In particular, 99 kg were confiscated from 9 Afghan citizens, 131 kg from 8 Uzbeks, 44 kg from 4 Kazakhs, and 4 grams from one citizen of Moldova. Information about the penalties for these detainees has not been disclosed.
Additionally, in 2025, 583 citizens of Tajikistan were detained for drug offenses abroad, with 208 kg of drugs seized from them.
According to Zafar Samad, “despite the difficult situation, it is under the control of law enforcement agencies.” After the press conference, SCNS employees burned about 316 kg of seized drugs in the presence of journalists.
At the same time, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan announced plans to reward citizens with valuable gifts and cash bonuses for information about individuals involved in the illegal drug trade and other serious crimes. Informants will receive complete confidentiality.
