Drug Circulation Has Increased, While Law Enforcement Cannot Combat It: 'Hraparak'

'Hraparak' newspaper reports: 'Efforts to combat the illegal drug circulation have been unsuccessful, with numbers increasing year by year. During the first nine months of 2024, the police have identified 2,571 instances of illegal drug circulation in the country, with 1,323 related to distribution. The figures were provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, the actual circulation is estimated to be ten times higher. Distribution mainly takes place via the internet and Telegram.

From the beginning of 2023 to March, there were 324 recorded cases of illegal drug circulation, with 122 concerning distribution and 150 related to possession. The cases of illegal drug circulation have increased by more than 1,000 compared to the same four months of the previous year. Experts warn of a rise in the number of minors and women using drugs.

On February 1, an interagency commission to prevent the illegal circulation of drugs and psychoactive substances was established by the government's decision, comprising heads of relevant subdivisions from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Defense, NSS, Prosecutor General's Office, Investigative Committee, and SSC. Under the leadership of Vahe Ghazaryan at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, meetings of the commission are held regularly. However, drugs are mostly sold on online platforms, and law enforcement agencies lack adequate technical means to counter this.'