NEW CHANNELS AND METHODS OF ILLEGAL PYROTECHNIC DISTRIBUTION

Erkin Norbutaev; Сардор Исаев

Authors

Erkin Khurozovich Norbutaev Acting Professor of the Department of Administrative Law at the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD), Associate Professor.
Исаев Сардор Алишерович Chief Research Fellow at the Research Institute of Criminology of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Doctor of Philosophy in Law (PhD). Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan.

Keywords:

illicit trade in pyrotechnic products, Internet, social media, crypto markets, darknet, cryptophones, encryption, e-commerce, international cooperation, law enforcement agencies, counterfeit products, digital security, legal regulation.

Abstract

The article examines contemporary challenges and opportunities related to the circulation of pyrotechnic products in the era of digitalization. It analyzes the role of the Internet and online platforms—including social media, crypto markets, and encrypted messaging services—in facilitating the illicit trade in pyrotechnics. Particular attention is paid to the use by criminal groups of anonymization technologies, “cryptophones,” VPN services, and cryptocurrencies, which significantly complicate law enforcement efforts. The study also highlights regulatory challenges, including the absence of specialized legislation in many countries and discrepancies among national legal systems that create opportunities for abuse.