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Headline: President Tokayev Takes Tough Action Against Drug Trafficking in Kazakhstan
Sub-headline: Multi-faceted approach includes stricter measures, improved data collection, and public education
In a bid to combat the rising drug problem in Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has taken a comprehensive approach, focusing on tougher enforcement, regulatory oversight, social rehabilitation, and public education.
On August 13, 2025, Tokayev chaired a Security Council meeting, emphasizing the need for stricter measures against drug trafficking. He condemned the destructive social impact of drug addiction and called for flexible policies towards addicts but uncompromising action against drug dealers.
The president stressed the importance of improving statistical data collection, monitoring chemical flows, and preventing the romanticization of drugs and alcohol in media and the internet. He also ordered tight control over suspicious financial flows linked to drug trafficking to aid law enforcement in dismantling operations.
To coordinate state bodies’ activities on drug use prevention, combating drug crime, treatment, and rehabilitation, a republican headquarters was established, led by the Prime Minister. Regional headquarters will also be created in major cities and regions.
The government headquarters for combating drug trafficking was raised to the government level, elevating its importance and coordination power. This move involves many state agencies including the National Security Committee, Financial Monitoring Agency, and Prosecutor’s Office.
President Tokayev also instructed active participation of society alongside government agencies to strengthen preventive and punitive efforts against drug addiction and trafficking.
In other news, a man was arrested in Shymkent for causing a brawl in a city hospital, assaulting others, and a criminal case has been opened. Separately, a 6-year-old boy miraculously survived after falling from a 9th-floor window in Astana, regaining consciousness despite severe injuries.
Meanwhile, the first hearing in Hasan Kasymbayev's case is scheduled for August 20 at the Taldykorgan District Court. The venue and date for the trial were announced earlier.
Elsewhere, a land plot in the village of Shamalgan, Almaty region, was sold at an auction for 217 million tenge. The plot previously belonged to the Almaly holding, a company owned by Kairat Boranbayev.
In a separate incident, Ruslan Berdendov was already lying on the ground by the time Zhiyembay was detained. The official tried to resist the suspect, but his driver intervened and Zhiyembay was detained at the scene. Video footage from the scene showed Zhiyembay shooting at Berdenov near the Shymkent akimat building.
Lastly, Vice Prime Minister of National Economy, Serik Zhumanazar, stated that the government has no plans to increase the minimum wage (MZP) in Kazakhstan.
[1] https://www.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/president-tokayev-chaired-security-council-meeting-on-drug-trafficking-1933152/ [2] https://www.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/tokayev-instructed-strengthen-society-participation-in-fight-against-drug-addiction-1933191/ [3] https://www.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/tokayev-ordered-tight-control-over-suspicious-financial-flows-linked-drug-trafficking-1933193/ [4] https://www.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/tokayev-established-republican-headquarters-to-coordinate-state-bodies-activities-on-drug-use-prevention-1933195/ [5] https://www.tengrinews.kz/kazakhstan_news/tokayev-elevated-government-headquarters-combating-drug-trafficking-government-level-1933196/
- President Tokayev's efforts to combat drug trafficking in Kazakhstan extend beyond stricter measures and improved data collection, also encompassing public education about the destructive social impact of drug addiction and the need for active society participation in the fight against drug addiction and trafficking.
- TheMULTI-FACETED approach to tackling drug trafficking in Kazakhstan, spearheaded by President Tokayev, includes stricter enforcement against drug dealers, social rehabilitation for addicts, preventing the glamorization of drugs in media, and tight control over suspicious financial flows linked to drug trafficking.
