Customs Service: Drug Trafficking from Tajikistan Damaged the Country’s Reputation

The head of the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan called drug trafficking in the country one of the most painful problems, damaging the country’s reputation.

On February 14, the head of the Customs Service under the Government of Tajikistan Khurshed Karimzoda Abdurakhmon confirmed during his reporting press conference that his agency cannot prevent drug trafficking in the country. He added that in 2022 and 2023, a large number of couriers and smugglers exporting drugs from Tajikistan were detained in neighboring countries, thus “seriously damaging the reputation of the country and the law enforcement agencies of the republic.”

Karimzoda acknowledged that customs officers allow shortcomings in the fight against illegal drug trafficking. He stated that smugglers are becoming more skilled in their trade and are seeking new ways to smuggle drugs, making it more difficult to suppress.

“The latest case occurred at the airport. Drugs were hidden in the handle of a suitcase. After they were discovered in Russia, we reviewed the surveillance footage. Customs officers followed all the requirements for baggage inspection, but unfortunately, our customs inspection equipment did not reveal this hiding place,” said the head of the Customs Service.

Karimzoda reported that in 2023, the Customs Service identified 5 cases of drug smuggling, with a total volume of discovered drugs amounting to 71 kilograms and 213 grams. According to him, 71 kilograms and 110 grams were found in one case when a smuggler attempted to export this amount of heroin from Tajikistan to Russia through the Fotekhobod border crossing.

According to the head of the Customs Service of Tajikistan, one of the serious shortcomings in this sector is the lack of modern equipment for remote customs inspection. He stated that border guards only use four pieces of customs inspection equipment, which are outdated and cannot effectively inspect vehicles.

The head of the Customs Service of Tajikistan complained about the lack of modern equipment at border crossings, while state television channels reported on the commissioning of more than 100 border posts with the participation of Emomali Rahmon, emphasizing that the border crossings are “equipped with the latest advanced modern equipment.”

However, Karimzoda acknowledged that the remote customs inspection equipment even at the international airport in Dushanbe does not meet modern requirements, and customs officers at the country’s border points use old methods and conduct inspections manually due to the lack of equipment, which does not allow for effective inspections.