Afghan police are cracking down hard on drug smugglers and producers across the country. In a major bust in the southern province of Helmand, counter-narcotics teams destroyed six drug processing labs and seized over 10,000 kg of materials used to make heroin. Mullah Ezatullah Haqqani, the provincial police spokesman, shared this update on Monday, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
The operations happened on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand, and in nearby districts. Police targeted these hidden spots to stop heroin production right at its source. This bold move shows Afghanistan’s ongoing fight against the illegal drug trade, which has long plagued the region.
In other parts of the country, police made more arrests and seizures. The Ministry of Interior Affairs announced that officers found 292 kg of opium, heroin, and hashish, and nabbed 12 suspected drug smugglers in provinces like Panjshir, Baghlan, Kunduz, and Balkh. Up north, they uncovered another 145 kg of illegal drugs and arrested 10 more alleged smugglers.
Details from the ministry’s statement on X highlight specific actions: In Kunduz province on Sunday, counter-narcotics police grabbed 106 kg of opium poppy and 32 kg of hashish while arresting three people. In neighboring Baghlan, they caught a man with 4 kg of hashish. Over in Balkh, six suspects ended up in custody with 3 kg of illegal drugs.
The ministry made it clear: “Police won’t allow anyone to produce or smuggle illegal drugs in the country.” This firm stance aims to keep Afghanistan drug-free and protect communities from the dangers of narcotics.
Looking back a few days, on September 4 in northern Takhar province, police discovered 78 kg of opium poppy hidden in a car’s cavities. They arrested the owner during a routine check, stopping what could have been a big smuggling run to an unknown spot. Just two days earlier, on September 2, officers in Baghlan seized 18 kg of opium poppy and detained two smugglers.
These recent drug busts in Afghanistan highlight the relentless efforts by local police to dismantle drug networks. As the battle against opium and heroin production continues, authorities promise zero tolerance for such crimes. Stay tuned for more updates on Afghanistan’s war on drugs.
