Did Police Successfully Thwart Drug Smuggling in Northern Afghanistan?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Three drug smugglers arrested in Samangan.
- 700 grams of hashish confiscated by police.
- Related operations resulted in recovering a stolen car.
- Earlier seizures included 38 kg of opium poppy in Takhar.
- Efforts are ongoing to combat drug trafficking across Afghanistan.
Kabul, Oct 14 (NationPress) In its relentless campaign against illicit drugs, the Afghan police have apprehended three drug traffickers and confiscated hashish in the northern province of Samangan on Tuesday, according to a release from the provincial police office.
The individuals were attempting to transport 700 grams of hashish from northern Balkh to Baghlan province via Samangan at midnight. A police patrol intercepted their vehicle, leading to the discovery of the illegal substance and the arrest of its occupants, the report stated, as cited by Xinhua News Agency.
In related efforts, authorities also recovered a stolen vehicle and returned it to its rightful owner in the neighboring Jawzjan province on Monday.
Previously, on October 8, provincial police spokesperson Nizamudin Omir reported the seizure of illegal opium poppy in northern Afghanistan’s Takhar province, resulting in the detention of a drug smuggler.
This suspect allegedly concealed 38 kg of opium poppy within the compartments of a car and was attempting to smuggle it out of the province when police discovered the narcotics during a vehicle inspection.
On October 7, law enforcement also announced the capture of two drug traffickers and the seizure of 61 kg of opium poppy across northern Badakhshan and eastern Logar provinces.
Afghan counter-narcotics units seized a total of 61 kg of illegal drugs, arresting five suspected traffickers, as detailed by authorities on Tuesday.
In Badakhshan’s Darayem district, three suspects were apprehended with 34 kg of opium poppy in their possession. In Logar’s Charkh district, two individuals were detained after police found 27 kg of hashish in their custody.
This follows an earlier operation reported in western Herat province on October 2, where authorities uncovered 20 kg of opium poppy and arrested two individuals involved in drug trafficking.
Provincial police spokesperson Ghulam Nabi Babizada indicated that the suspects were caught selling 20 kg of opium poppy when law enforcement intervened.
Both detainees are currently in police custody for further investigation.