The cases of drug trafficking from Afghanistan through Uzbekistan multiplies

Attempts to smuggle drugs from Afghanistan through Uzbekistan’s transport infrastructure have increased.  This was stated by Olim Narzullayev, head of the National Drug Control Information and Analysis Center, at the meeting of the heads of the competent authorities of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) member States hold in Tashkent on 20 April on combatting illicit drug trafficking.

“Drug trafficking cases and capacity from Afghanistan towards the northern borders is growing.  The flow of basic narcotic drugs through the countries of the region is increasing, especially during the process of active integration with them.  In particular, attempts to smuggle drugs through the transport infrastructure of Uzbekistan have escalated” –Olim Narzullayev said.

Last year, the volume of seized drugs was 1,864.4 kilograms, which is 20.9 percent more than in 2020.
It should be noted that the Taliban, who came to power in Afghanistan on 3 April, banned poppy cultivation throughout the country.

For reference, the Taliban launched a large-scale operation to establish control over Afghanistan after the US announced its decision to withdraw its troops from the country. On 15 August 2021, the Taliban entered Kabul without a fight, and President Ashraf Ghani left the republic. On 6 September, the Taliban announced that they had taken control of the entire territory of Afghanistan, and on 7 September, they declared the composition of an interim government whose legitimacy has not yet been recognized by any State.