Did Afghan police really destroy six drug labs and seize over 10,000 kg of illicit substances?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Six drug labs were destroyed in Helmand province.
- Over 10,000 kg of illicit materials were seized.
- 12 suspected smugglers were arrested.
- Police continue to combat drug trafficking across Afghanistan.
- The Afghan government is committed to anti-narcotics efforts.
Kabul, Sep 8 (NationPress) Afghan police have effectively dismantled six drug processing facilities and confiscated over 10,000 kg of materials utilized in heroin production within the southern province of Helmand, as reported by a provincial police spokesperson on Monday.
In a focused initiative against drug trafficking, counter-narcotics police units executed various operations on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital, as well as in several districts, leading to the destruction of the labs and the seizure of illicit materials, stated Mullah Ezatullah Haqqani, a spokesman for the provincial police, according to Xinhua News Agency.
As part of a broader campaign against illegal drugs, police uncovered 292 kg of opium, heroin, and hashish, apprehending 12 suspected smugglers in the provinces of Panjshir, Baghlan, Kunduz, and Balkh, as mentioned by the country's Ministry of Interior Affairs on Monday.
In addition, authorities found 145 kg of illegal substances in northern Afghanistan and detained 10 alleged drug traffickers, according to a statement released by the Ministry for Interior Affairs.
In their ongoing anti-drug operations, counter-narcotics police arrested three individuals and seized 106 kg of opium poppy along with 32 kg of hashish in Kunduz province on Sunday. Furthermore, another suspect was apprehended with 4 kg of hashish in the adjacent Baghlan province, while six individuals with 3 kg of illegal drugs were detained in Balkh province, as reported by the ministry on X.
The police reiterated their commitment to preventing anyone from producing or trafficking illegal drugs within the country, according to the statement.
Previously, on September 4, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir reported that authorities discovered 78 kg of opium poppy in northern Afghanistan's Takhar province and arrested an individual charged with attempting to smuggle the drug.
The suspected smuggler had hidden 78 kg of opium poppy within the cavities of a vehicle, intending to transport it from Takhar to an undisclosed location. However, police intercepted and seized the drugs during a routine search, apprehending the vehicle's owner, according to the official. Earlier, on September 2, police had discovered 18 kg of opium poppy and detained two smugglers in northern Baghlan province.