Today: 29 October 2025
2 July 2021
2 mins read

Huge surge in poppy cultivation, drug smuggling in Afghanistan

This development comes amid a surge in violence in recent weeks in the middle of the US drawdown from the war-torn country….reports Asian Lite News

Afghanistan has witnessed a 45 per cent surge in poppy cultivation and drug smuggling this year when compared to the same period last year, the Afghan deputy minister of counter-narcotics said on Thursday.

Afghanistan, which infamously produces 80 per cent of the world’s opium, is currently cultivating poppy on more than 200,000 hectares of land in different regions of the country, TOLO news reported.

This development comes amid a surge in violence in recent weeks in the middle of the US drawdown from the war-torn country.

An Afghan interior ministry official said that they have burned 67 metric tons of drugs in Kabul on Thursday. “We burned some heroin, morphine, poppy, hashish and alcohol that is used in the production of heroin,” said Wahidullah Kalimzai, deputy minister of counter-narcotics.

“The structure of the commando forces must be expanded so that we are able to prevent smuggling by air and ground monitoring,” said Hashem Alokozai, a senator.

According to the Afghan news agency, in the last two decades, US has allocated USD 8 billion to counter the drug problem in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Health Ministry said that currently there are around 3.5 million addicts in Afghanistan. “The difference in the numbers between 2009 and 2016–900,000 in 2009 and 3.5 million now–indicates a rising trend,” said Zahir Sultani, the head of Ibn-e-Sina hospital, as quoted by TOLO.

Afghan security force members take part in a military operation in Chahar Dara district of Kunduz province, Afghanistan, Jan. 16, 2018. The Kunduz province, as well as neighboring Baghlan and Takhar provinces, have been the hotbeds of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to attack the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region. (Xinhua/Ajmal Kakar/IANS)

Afghanistan has been among the world’s top illicit drug-producing countries. There are scores of drug addicts currently on the streets.

Multiple reports indicate that poppy cultivation and drug trafficking provide a big income source for the Taliban, mainly in the southern and northern parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the Afghan health ministry said that in order to overcome the problem, there is a need to curb drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, a total of 33 terrorists were confirmed dead as fighter planes struck Taliban gatherings in Kaldar and Shortepa districts of Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province on Wednesday, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, the fighter planes targeted Taliban militants’ gatherings in parts of the restive Kaldar and neighbouring Shortepa districts on Wednesday afternoon, killing 33 insurgents and injuring 19 others, Rezai asserted.

During the air raids huge quantity of arms and ammunition of the insurgents was also destroyed.

Taliban terrorists, who have intensified activities and gained ground since the start of withdrawal of the United States-led forces from Afghanistan on May 1, have yet to make comments. (ANI/Xinhua)

ALSO READ: Germany completes troop pull-out from Afghanistan

Previous Story

TALIBAN RESURRECTION: The Ghost Of Osama Haunts Pakistan

Next Story

SURVEY: Majority Indians Respect All Religions

Latest from -Top News

Gazans Struggle to Revive Life

Today, Gaza’s markets seem to awaken from beneath the ruins. Partially destroyed shops opened their doors amid streets littered with debris, while merchants attempt to arrange what remains of their goods on

GAZA AID: MSF raps Israel

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says Israel Continues to Use Aid as a Weapon of War Against Gaza Strip…reports Asian Lite News Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel

Qatar Emir Meets Trump

HH the Amir welcomed HE the US President and his accompanying delegation, expressing his pleasure at meeting the President during his stopover in Qatar…reports Asian Lite News HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim

Abu Dhabi leads future of food innovation

Global Food Week 2025 cements Abu Dhabi’s leadership in food innovation, uniting 75 countries to showcase sustainable agriculture, cutting-edge technologies, and women-led enterprises driving future food security….reports Asian Lite News Global Food

UAE reshapes AI council

The newly reconstituted Council will be chaired by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan serving as Vice-Chairman….reports Asian Lite
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US urges citizens to immediately leave Afghanistan

Heavy fighting between Afghanistan security forces and the Taliban in

$45 mn released for Afghanistan’s healthcare system

Medicines, medical supplies and fuel are running out in Afghanistan.