Did Afghan Police Really Seize 1,000 kg of Illicit Drugs and Arrest Two Smugglers?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 1,000 kg of illicit drugs seized in Zabul province.
- Two alleged smugglers arrested during the operation.
- Drug trafficking efforts are being aggressively countered.
- Additional operations led to the destruction of drug labs.
- The interim government is committed to anti-drug initiatives.
Kabul, July 24 (NationPress) Afghan security forces have successfully confiscated 1,000 kg of illicit drugs and apprehended two suspected drug traffickers in Zabul province of southern Afghanistan, as reported by the Ministry of Interior Affairs on Thursday.
The opium was hidden within a truck and uncovered during a counter-narcotics operation in the Shahjoy district, according to the statement from the ministry, reported by Xinhua news agency.
Two individuals have been detained in connection with this drug trafficking case, and their files have been forwarded to the judiciary for further investigation, the statement mentioned.
In a related effort, the Afghan national army has thwarted drug smuggling attempts and captured three alleged smugglers in Helmand province, as stated by army spokesman Jawed Agha on Tuesday.
This operation resulted in the confiscation of 730 kg of opium poppy, which was cleverly concealed within the vehicle's cavities, as per the official's account.
Additionally, two assault rifles and two satellite phones were discovered in the possession of the arrested suspects, which have been handed over to appropriate authorities for further examination.
In another event, police incinerated over half a tonne of illegal drugs in Kandahar province on Sunday.
This contraband included 130 kg of opium poppy, 480 kg of methamphetamine, and 660 pieces of stimulant tablets, all of which were collected over the past two months and publicly burned, the official noted.
Police have reiterated their commitment to preventing the production, processing, or trafficking of illegal drugs.
Furthermore, Afghan security forces dismantled two drug processing laboratories and seized over 580 kg of illicit drugs in Farah province on Sunday, according to a statement from the Deputy Minister of Interior for Counter-Narcotics.
The report indicates that counter-narcotics police carried out separate operations on the outskirts of Bakwa district, destroying two drug labs and confiscating 589 kg of illicit substances. Nine suspected smugglers were also arrested.
The Afghan interim government has intensified its crackdown on illegal drugs and those involved in this illicit trade.