On Sunday, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior Affairs (MoI) disclosed a list of ten individuals charged with drug trafficking whom the government is seeking to apprehend.

The suspected people are:

1-Samim, a.k.a. Faqir Shah

2-Azizuddine, a.k.a. Mohammad Qasim

3- Farid, a.k.a. Khodadad

4- Matine, a.k.a. Abdul Rashid

5-Obiadullah, a.k.a. Najibullah

6- Najibullah, a.k.a. Mujeeb

7- Joma Murad, a.k.a Dawlat Makhdum

8-Sayed Jan

9-Toryali

10- Sher Aziz

“If anyone assists us in arresting these ten smugglers, we will not disclose (the informant's) name but will reward them. This will allow us to rid Kabul of these sorts of criminals,” stated Najibullah Ahmadi, head of the investigation department in MoI.

“Anyone, in any position, who stands against the law will be punished,“ said Mohammad Hashim Ortag, interior deputy minister.

The MoI states it has arrested 204 individuals, including eight foreigners charged with drug trafficking. Furthermore, 23 “major traffickers”, 68 public service employees, 86 women, and 9 under-aged people are accused of drug trafficking.

Moreover, the MoI has arrested three Iranian nationals, two Pakistanis and three Turkmens also charged on drug trafficking.

“They keep the battlefield warm (meaning the fight will continue) until the perpetrators are sentenced by law in court.” said Mohammad Hashim Ortaq, deputy minister of interior.

Figures by the MoI indicated that poppy-planting has decreased by 38% compared to 2018.

The United Nations (UN) has consistently named Afghanistan as a top-producer illicit drugs in recent years.