The heads of counter-narcotic efforts from Iran and Tajikistan expressed concern over the smuggling and cultivation of narcotics from Afghanistan in a meeting of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The head of Tajikistan's Drug Control Agency stated that drugs from the large reserves in northern Afghanistan are being trafficked to Central Asian countries and the European Union.

 "The threat to Central Asian countries, especially those bordering Afghanistan, is gradually increasing because the methamphetamine discovered in the region is produced in Afghanistan," said Zafar Samad, the head of Tajikistan's Anti-Drug Agency.

Eskandar Momeni, the Secretary General of Drug Control Headquarters of Iran also claimed at the meeting that in the past five years, 4,450 tons of narcotics produced in Afghanistan have been seized in Iran.

"Over the past five years, nearly 4,450 tons of various types of narcotics originating from Afghanistan have been discovered and seized as a result of the sacrifice of my colleagues. The Islamic Republic of Iran has yet to see a significant decrease in drug trafficking from Afghanistan," said Eskandar Momeni, Secretary General of Drug Control Headquarters of Iran.

However, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, said that a serious fight against illicit drugs is ongoing in the country, and he has called for comprehensive cooperation from countries with the Islamic Emirate in this regard.

“It's crucial for countries to fulfill their responsibilities. First, that there has virtually been no cooperation with the Islamic Emirate, even though it was promised, no help has been provided. Secondly, they must also fulfill their duty in preventing trafficking from their own soil and carry it out," he said.

"To control drugs, a bilateral effort must be made, focusing jointly on the issue of drug trafficking and cultivation and its prevention," said Waheed Faqiri, an expert in international relations.

Previously, The deputy minister of counter-narcotics of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in an interview with TOLOnews said that according to the decree of the leader of the Islamic Emirate, the cultivation, trafficking, and sale of narcotics in Afghanistan have been prohibited.