IOLR

The total value of 893 kg 456 g of narcotics and psychotropic substances seized from illegal circulation in January-February 2026 is estimated at 47,855,000 manat, Report informs, citing the State Commission for Combating Drug Abuse and Illegal Drug Trafficking.

Of the total amount of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances seized from illegal circulation (1,780,896,713 g), 1,532,668.1 g was marijuana, 99,071,146 g was heroin, 32,065,49 g was opium, 41,067,14 g was hashish, 6,279,1 g were other narcotics, and 69,745,737 g were psychotropic substances.

529 people, including 515 men and 14 women, were charged with drug trafficking.

A total of approximately 110.8 kg of various types of narcotics were seized from the eight foreign citizens charged.

Law enforcement agencies also uncovered 32 cases of drug and psychotropic substance smuggling, resulting in the seizure of 479.8 kg of prohibited substances. Of these, 32 crimes were committed by a group of individuals, resulting in the seizure of 345.2 kg of drugs and psychotropic substances.

The former chairman of the board of the Nakhchivan State Roads Agency, Bahruz Asgarov, has denied charges of embezzling 5.5 million manats.

According to Oxu.Az, he made this statement at a hearing of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Grave Crimes Court chaired by Judge Arzuyar Kerimov.

According to the indictment, between June 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023, Bahruz Asgarov, together with the heads of the road maintenance and repair departments of Sharur, Julfa, Shahbuz, Sadarak, Ordubad, Kengerli, Babek, and Nakhchivan, and by prior conspiracy with a group of individuals, caused particularly large-scale damage to the state budget. The former chairman, who is also accused of official forgery, is believed to have embezzled more than 5.5 million manats over the course of his tenure.

The trial will continue on April 10.

It should be noted that Bahruz Askerov has been charged under Articles 179.4 (embezzlement committed with causing damage on an especially large scale) and 313 (forgery) of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan. He has been remanded in custody.