The state and trends of drug trafficking-related crime in Russia

This article provides a comprehensive criminological analysis of the current state and key trends in drug trafficking-related crime in the Russian Federation. We examined statistical data for 2021–2024, identified structural changes, and demonstrated the trends is this type of crime. Particular attention is paid to the impact of digitalization on social relations and the transformation of criminal drug practices, in particular the use of the Internet and closed communication platforms for distribution. The paper critically evaluates the effectiveness of current legal countermeasures and the intelligence-gathering activities of law enforcement agencies. Based on the analysis conducted, it is concluded that the recorded dynamics largely indicate changes in law enforcement policy and the adaptive capacity of the criminal environment, rather than an actual reduction in the scale of drug-related crime. Directions for improving the state anti-drug strategy are proposed.