Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Justice has issued a warning to citizens regarding the transportation of the plant üzerlik (Peganum harmala), following a surge in detentions at international borders involving the herb.
While üzerlik is commonly used in traditional medicine and cultural rituals, authorities in many countries consider it a controlled substance due to its psychoactive compounds—particularly harmaline and harmine. Transporting it across borders can lead to administrative penalties or even criminal prosecution, the Ministry stated.
Citizens traveling abroad—or foreigners entering Azerbaijan—are strongly advised not to carry uzerlik in any form, including whole plants, seeds, extracts, or derived products. The warning aims to prevent unintentional legal violations that may disrupt international travel.
Hüquqi məsuliyyət riski daşıyan üzərlik bitkisi ilə bağlı xəbərdarlıq edilib.
Ətraflı: https://t.co/8x2PtReeJf#ƏdliyyəNazirliyi #MəhkəməEkspertizasıMərkəzi pic.twitter.com/xbcyVRXbTA
— Ədliyyə Nazirliyi / Ministry of Justice (@justicegovaz) July 30, 2025
To raise public awareness, Azerbaijan’s Center for Forensic Expertise has prepared guidelines explaining the plant’s origins, chemical composition, and legal status in various jurisdictions. The initiative is designed to protect citizens and ensure safe travel by avoiding accidental breaches of foreign law.
