Kazakhstan cracks down on drugs, blocks over 180,000 online accounts Curse of being located along major drug routes

Kazakhstan is intensifying its nationwide campaign against drug-related crime as authorities confront shifting trends in narcotics trafficking and consumption.

While the overall number of drug offences in the country has declined, officials warn that serious crimes — particularly drug trafficking — continue to rise.

In response, the government has accelerated efforts to dismantle criminal networks, strengthen international cooperation, and disrupt the online infrastructure that enables the trade. 

As part of these efforts, Kazakhstan has blocked more than 180,000 drug-related social media and financial accounts, according to new figures released by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The latest updates were presented during a high-level meeting of the Prosecutor General’s Office, where officials outlined the scope of the country’s anti-drug operations, as reported by Kazakh media outlets.

Authorities reported the seizure of 47 tons of narcotics, the shutdown of 148 trafficking channels, the closure of 24 clandestine laboratories, and the dismantling of 15 organised criminal groups. Nearly 5,000 individuals have been brought to justice, including 58 minors, underscoring the continued need for youth-targeted preventive measures.

To more effectively counteract drug networks operating online, Kazakhstan recently deployed new AI-based monitoring systems — Crypto Trace and ProkAi — designed to identify narcotics-related accounts, illicit transactions, and online drug markets. These tools have already proven highly effective, enabling the swift blocking of over 180,000 online accounts connected to drug activity.

Authorities emphasised that large-scale preventative work remains central to their strategy. Government and law enforcement bodies have conducted 10,000 outreach and preventive events across the country, aiming to raise awareness and reduce demand. Additionally, more than 60,000 instances of graffiti advertising narcotics — often linked to online drug marketplaces — have been removed from urban areas.

Officials also highlighted significant progress in strengthening international cooperation. Kazakhstan has carried out 12 controlled deliveries beyond its borders and shared intelligence with competent authorities in seven foreign states to help disrupt transnational drug networks.

This expanding cooperation is reinforced by new legal frameworks: on 27 November 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the law ratifying the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Government of Turkmenistan on Cooperation in Combating Crime. The agreement is expected to boost joint operations, intelligence exchange, and coordinated actions against trafficking groups that move freely across borders in Central Asia.

Kazakhstan’s geographic position makes these efforts particularly urgent. The country remains a key corridor along the so-called northern route between Afghanistan — the world’s primary producer of opiates — and major drug markets in Russia and Europe, as noted by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.

Afghan heroin trafficked along this route, as depicted in the above map, generates an estimated US$1.1–2.1 billion annually. Additionally, Afghan-produced cannabis resin also flows northward through Central Asia.

A wide range of actors contribute to this trafficking ecosystem. According to the Global Initiative, Türkiye-based Kurdish groups remain among the most influential players, coordinating large-scale shipments measured in tonnes. Tajik networks play a dominant role in mid-level trafficking, typically involving loads of 100–200 kilograms, leveraging linguistic ties and geographic proximity to Afghanistan. In recent years, Uzbekistan has also become an increasingly important transit point, although the traditional Tajikistan–Kyrgyzstan–Kazakhstan corridor continues to see heavy flows of narcotics.

Like many countries in the region, Kazakhstan has also witnessed a rise in consumption and production of synthetic drugs since around 2015. The country has evolved from being primarily a transit point to becoming a domestic producer of synthetic substances.

One of the most notorious criminal groups involved in this shift is Khimprom, a network active since 2014 that specializes in distributing synthetic drugs online across Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Its operations illustrate how drug trafficking has migrated into digital spaces, necessitating the technological tools Kazakhstan is now deploying.

Recognizing these challenges, the Prosecutor General’s Office has instructed national agencies to intensify internet monitoring, expand youth outreach programs, and deepen international partnerships.

In 2025, Kazakhstan also introduced some of its toughest penalties yet: the production of narcotics can now result in life imprisonment. Authorities hope this measure will deter involvement in drug manufacturing, especially in the growing market for synthetic substances.

By Nazrin Sadigova