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UNODC Warns Against Insurgents' Use of Drug Trade

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said that following the recent developments in Afghanistan, some insurgent groups are likely to try to take advantage of the situation and exploit illicit narcotics.  

UNODC executive director Ghada Waly said opium production and smuggling by insurgent groups should be prevented in Afghanistan.

“Terrorist and criminal groups are likely to take advantage of any new opportunities to exploit illicit narcotics, particularly as the situation in Afghanistan develops. Afghanistan already accounted for 85% of the world’s opium production in 2020. In light of recent events, there is an urgent need to prevent illicit flows and exploitative crimes, to stop the country from becoming a haven for terrorists and their resources, and to address expected spillover in neighboring countries,” she said in a meeting of Commission on Narcotics Drug in Viana.

UNODC activities in Afghanistan have been halted since August 15.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said that the cultivation and smuggling of narcotic drugs has reached zero in Afghanistan.

Saeed Khosti, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior said: “We have carried out operations in the capital and provinces where we have arrested drug smugglers. The Islamic Emirate is committed to not allowing the cultivation of drugs in Afghanistan and its smuggling to other countries.”

Analysts said opium production and smuggling could increase if it is not fought effectively. “It is a fact that if we don’t fight against this phenomenon, poverty, misery and the situation in Afghanistan will increase the cultivation of narcotics, and our country will still be among those countries where cultivation has a high percentage,” said Mohammad Khan Andar, an international relations analyst.

In the meantime, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has also raised concerns over “the current and evolving money laundering and terrorist financing risk environment in the country.”

FATF has said Afghanistan should not become a territory where insurgents find shelter or training camps or plan to finance terrorist activities.

UNODC Warns Against Insurgents' Use of Drug Trade

FATF also said it is concerned about the money laundering environment in Afghanistan.

تصویر بندانگشتی

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said that following the recent developments in Afghanistan, some insurgent groups are likely to try to take advantage of the situation and exploit illicit narcotics.  

UNODC executive director Ghada Waly said opium production and smuggling by insurgent groups should be prevented in Afghanistan.

“Terrorist and criminal groups are likely to take advantage of any new opportunities to exploit illicit narcotics, particularly as the situation in Afghanistan develops. Afghanistan already accounted for 85% of the world’s opium production in 2020. In light of recent events, there is an urgent need to prevent illicit flows and exploitative crimes, to stop the country from becoming a haven for terrorists and their resources, and to address expected spillover in neighboring countries,” she said in a meeting of Commission on Narcotics Drug in Viana.

UNODC activities in Afghanistan have been halted since August 15.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said that the cultivation and smuggling of narcotic drugs has reached zero in Afghanistan.

Saeed Khosti, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior said: “We have carried out operations in the capital and provinces where we have arrested drug smugglers. The Islamic Emirate is committed to not allowing the cultivation of drugs in Afghanistan and its smuggling to other countries.”

Analysts said opium production and smuggling could increase if it is not fought effectively. “It is a fact that if we don’t fight against this phenomenon, poverty, misery and the situation in Afghanistan will increase the cultivation of narcotics, and our country will still be among those countries where cultivation has a high percentage,” said Mohammad Khan Andar, an international relations analyst.

In the meantime, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has also raised concerns over “the current and evolving money laundering and terrorist financing risk environment in the country.”

FATF has said Afghanistan should not become a territory where insurgents find shelter or training camps or plan to finance terrorist activities.

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