According to the Anti-Drug Department, the figure represents a slight decrease of 0.5 percent equal to last last year, when 17,574 arrests were recorded along that term.

During the period, seven point 76 tons of narcotics were seized, a considerable increase compared to the five point 75 tons seized in the same period of 2024.

The substances seized include ketamine, ecstasy, heroin, crystallized methamphetamine, methamphetamine pills, cocaine and cathinone, according to the official report.

The country’s current legislation establishes life imprisonment for those found guilty of trafficking more than 80 grams of illegal drugs, although it does not provide for the death penalty.

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