The head of the State Security Service reported to the President on the main threats to Uzbekistan’s security

At a meeting of the Security Council, the head of the State Security Service of Uzbekistan, Bakhodir Kurbanov, reported to Shavkat Mirziyoyev on current security threats and measures to neutralize them.

According to Bahodir Kurbanov, the threats highlighted by the president in his address to the Oliy Majlis and the people remain relevant not only for the country but for the entire region. He identified terrorism and the spread of destructive ideas, as well as transboundary threats, as key challenges.

The virtual space, especially social networks, has become the main source of spreading destructive ideas among the population, which negatively affects the religious environment. Transboundary threats, including drug trafficking, illegal movement of weapons and goods across the state border, do not lose their relevance, — he said.

In 2025, a 1482 km shared border with Tajikistan and Turkmenistan was demarcated, and 790 border markers were installed. In addition, as the head of the State Security Service noted, 453 km of protective barriers, 287 km of border roads have been built, and 44 electronic signaling systems have been installed.

The number of border violators decreased by 1.5 times, and the volume of seizure of goods and materials increased by 20%. Bahodir Kurbanov also noted the need to expand and modernize the infrastructure of nine border crossing points. The number of people and vehicles crossing the border is growing by an average of 15% annually amid growth in the economy, foreign trade, and tourism.

Special attention was paid to the growth of drug trafficking. If 1.7 tons of narcotic drugs were seized in 2024, then in 2025 — already 3.6 tons. The number of detained criminals increased from 2,600 to 4,500 people, and the number of liquidated underground drug laboratories increased from 8 to 15.

The spread of synthetic drugs among young people is of particular concern. In 2025, more than 180 kg of synthetic substances and over 1 million doses of psychotropic drugs were seized.

The fact that addiction to them is formed in the body in the shortest possible time after the start of consumption is alarming, — the head of the State Security Service emphasized.

Speaking about countering corruption threats, the head of the State Security Service said that there are still cases of abuse of office, bribery, extortion, and other corruption crimes in control, law enforcement agencies, and other government structures.

In 2025, 1,083 employees involved in corruption and other crimes were removed from the system of state bodies. Of these, 661 people were held criminally liable and convicted.

At the same time, there are still cases of domestic corruption in government bodies, — he noted, noting the high human factor and insufficient digitalization of processes.

In connection with the declaration of 2026 as the Year of Emergency Measures to Combat Corruption, the main focus, according to him, will be on the digitalization of processes with high corruption risks, the elimination of legal gaps, and the formation of an intolerant attitude towards corruption in society.

According to him, the legal and organizational foundations aimed at suppressing factors leading to religious radicalization have been improved. In particular, criminal liability has been established for illegally teaching religion to minors in “hujra” conditions.

Dear President, we must especially emphasize: it was you who drew attention to this problem and, putting forward an initiative aimed at protecting our children and youth of Uzbekistan from the threats of religious radicalism, gave appropriate instructions. Unfortunately, until you noticed this, not only our service, but also other responsible agencies remained inactive, — Kurbanov said.

Earlier, it was reported that Bayraktar drones began guarding the border of Uzbekistan. A special unit was organized for the UAV.