Afghan Authorities Seize 43 kg of Illegal Drugs, Arrest One Smuggler
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Synopsis
On January 14, 2023, police in Khost province, Afghanistan, confiscated 43 kg of illicit drugs and arrested a suspect linked to drug trafficking. This operation reflects ongoing efforts by authorities to combat drug-related crimes in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Police seized 43 kg of illegal drugs in Khost.
- One suspect was arrested for drug trafficking.
- Efforts to combat drug cultivation and trafficking are ongoing.
- Previous operations led to the arrest of 17 traffickers.
- The government aims to eliminate drug production in Afghanistan.
Kabul, Jan 14 (NationPress) The police have seized 43 kg of illegal drugs in the Khost province of eastern Afghanistan and apprehended a suspect linked to drug trafficking in the region, as reported by provincial police spokesman Tahir Ehrar on Tuesday.
The seized narcotics, comprising 43 kg of hashish and an AK-47 rifle, were found near the provincial capital, Khost city, on Sunday. The official confirmed that one individual involved in the drug smuggling operation has been arrested.
The police have reiterated that they will not permit anyone to cultivate or traffic in hashish, opium, or substances used in heroin production within the province, as stated by the official, according to a report from the Xinhua news agency.
On January 11, the counter-narcotics police had previously uncovered 64 kg of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, resulting in the arrest of 17 suspected drug traffickers across two provinces in Afghanistan, as detailed in a statement from the Ministry of Interior.
The confiscated drugs included 43 kg of methamphetamine and 21 kg of hashish, seized during separate routine operations on the outskirts of eastern Nangarhar and northern Kunduz provinces, according to the statement.
The announcement, which did not specify the exact timing of these incidents, indicated that 10 individuals were detained on drug trafficking and purchase charges in Nangarhar, while seven others were apprehended for drug smuggling in Kunduz.
Moreover, on December 30, the counter-narcotics police arrested 12 individuals for drug smuggling activities across seven provinces in Afghanistan.
These individuals were reportedly engaged in the sale, purchase, and trafficking of illegal substances in the vicinity of Laghman, Bamyan, Kapisa, Parwan, Kunduz, Herat, and Farah provinces.
A significant quantity of illegal drugs, including opium, hashish, and stimulant pills, was confiscated from the detainees, and their cases were referred to the judiciary for further examination.
The Afghan caretaker government, which has imposed a ban on poppy cultivation, drug processing, and trafficking, has pledged to combat this issue until Afghanistan, a nation previously known for poppy cultivation, becomes entirely drug-free.
