The Kazakh Interior Ministry has seized 325 kilograms of narcotics since the start of 2026 as part of an intensified nationwide crackdown on drug crime.

The law enforcement dismantled a major drug laboratory, broke up two organized criminal groups, and shut down 118 drug distribution cases in just the first weeks of the year. About half of the confiscated substances were synthetic drugs, reflecting a growing shift toward lab-produced narcotics, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

Arrests were carried out in Kostanay, Shymkent, and Almaty, with investigators uncovering drug sales even inside entertainment venues, where substances were reportedly sold directly at workplaces.

Authorities also highlighted a new focus on so-called “laughing gas”. As of January 1, criminal liability has been introduced for its illegal circulation, and dozens of cylinders containing nitrous oxide have already been seized in several regions.

The Interior Ministry says the large-scale operation will continue as part of broader efforts to curb drug trafficking and organized crime across the country.