The Ministry of Interior said that nearly 15,000 counter-narcotics operations were conducted in 2023, during which the security forces seized around 8,200 tons of narcotics.
“In 2023, around 15,000 special raids were conducted regarding counter-narcotics, we had good achievements in this regard,” he said.
During these operations, nearly 8,500 suspects were arrested and nearly 14,000 hectares of lands were cleared of drug-producing crops.
MoI spokesman Abdul Matin Qani criticized the lack of attention of the international community in providing alternative crops for the farmers.
“The international community has not had effective cooperation to provide alternative crops to the farmers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the political analysts called the Islamic Emirate’s efforts with counter-narcotics effective.
“The world should send a delegation to Afghanistan to monitor where the cultivation still continuing. When the cultivation dropped by 95 percent, there should be an alternative for the farmers,” said Mohammad Matin Mohammad Khil, a political analyst.
Last October, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Secretary General, Imangali Tasmagambetov, at the joint meeting of the Council and the 16th plenary session of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in Moscow expressed concerns about the increase of terrorist group activities, drug smuggling and smuggling of weapons in Afghanistan.
Dozens of drug addicts are living in open areas under the sun in the western province of Herat.
Provincial officials said that the process of treatment of drug addicts is slow due to an inadequate budget.
Abdul Nasir, 28, laid alongside other drug addicts in a corner of the street in the provincial capital city.
Nasir said that he was addicted to drugs in Iran. Nasir said that when he came back to Afghanistan, his family left him due to his use of drugs.
“They may collect these youth and treat them. They are going to be mentally unwell as they see themselves in such a condition,” he said.
The drug addicts said that they are suffering from other diseases but there is no one consider their situation.
“There are no jobs. I got addicted to it due to lack of work. We don’t have any place and we lay down here,” said Mohamad Riza, a drug addict.
The provincial health officials said that around 1,500 drug addicts have been collected from the streets in nearly one last year.
“Around 1,200 drug addicts have been either sent to their provinces or handed over to their families in Herat city or districts after they were treated,” said Sayed Mohammad Sadat, a health official.
The security officials in Herat said that the people involved in drug dealing will face serious actions.
Within nearly one last year, 1,200 kg of drugs have been captured in the province.
“We have arrested around 200 to 250 people who were selling drugs. Their cases are with the court,” said Hayatullah Ruhani, director of the Herat department of countering narcotics.
Based on available numbers, more than 70,000 of people are addicted to drugs, of whom women and children are %13.—Tolonews
