Survey: Afghanistan opium production up by 87 percent

[MenInG]

http://abcnews.go.com/International...hanistan-opium-production-87-percent-51160836

Afghanistan's opium production has almost doubled this year compared to 2016, while areas that are under poppy cultivation rose by 63 percent, according to a new joint survey released Wednesday by the United Nations and the Afghan government.

The production increased by 87 percent and stands at a record level of 9,000 metric tons (9,921 U.S. tons) so far in 2017, compared to the 2016 levels of 4,800 metric tons (5,291 U.S. tons).

Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime said the area under opium poppy cultivation has also increased to a record 328,000 hectares (810,488 acres) in 2017, up 63 percent compared with the 201,000 hectares (496,671 acres) that cultivated the poppy in 2016.

"It is high time for the international community and Afghanistan to reprioritize drug control, and to acknowledge that every nation has a shared responsibility for this global problem," UNODC's Executive Director Yury Fedotov was quoted as saying in the statement.

The increase in production is mainly result of the increase in the area under poppy cultivation, while an increase in opium yield also contributed. The largest increase in yields came in the south, where the average yield grew by 19 percent. In the country's north-eastern region, the yield from the opium poppy rose by 14 percent, the statement said.

Also, the survey said the number of poppy-free provinces in the country decreased from 13 to 10, with Ghazni, Samangan and Nuristan province also becoming poppy growing regions, raising the number of those cultivating the poppy from 21 to 24 provinces in the country.

Afghanistan is the world's top cultivator of the poppy from which opium and heroin are produced. The 2017 record levels of opium production and poppy cultivation create multiple challenges for the country, its neighbors and the many other countries that are transit for or destination of Afghan opiates.

The Taliban, who have been waging war against the Afghan government since 2001, are heavily involved in poppy cultivation and opium distribution, especially in areas under their control. They have stepped up their attacks against Afghan security forces in northern region of the country and elsewhere over the past year.

In 2017, government-organized poppy eradication took place in 14 provinces, compared to seven provinces in 2016. During the latest eradication campaign, six people were killed and eight were wounded in attacks by Taliban as well as drug traffickers.

 

[Syed1]

Blame it on ISI and Pak Army.

 

[troodon]

Isn't opium against Islamic principles?

For a conservative country like Afghanistan, this Opium cultivation seems bizarre. Or is it that people are religious only superficially?

 

[Madplayer]

Isn't opium against Islamic principles?

For a conservative country like Afghanistan, this Opium cultivation seems bizarre. Or is it that people are religious only superficially?

I dont want to sound like the roadside Mullah who blames everything on Amreeka but i do think it has a lot to do with USA's presence in Afghanistan.

Ofcourse, any form of drug abuse is UnIslamic but for most people, principles and ethics of religion become redundant when it comes to basic survival. Afghanistan is war torn, by and large infertile and corrupt. Perfect conditions to make it vulnerable to such activities.

 

[Major]

so exporting opium is aright but interest rate which reduces inflation is considered as a wrong thing.....


#MuslimWorldAndTheirProblems

 

[KingKhanWC]

so exporting opium is aright but interest rate which reduces inflation is considered as a wrong thing.....


#MuslimWorldAndTheirProblems

Under the Taliban poppy farms were destroyed in large numbers and opium production was reduced by over 50%. After the occupation it has risen again. Not all but much of it is being smuggled back into the US imo.

 

[James]

The poppy has always been suspected as one of the more underhanded motives for the invasion by the West and I suppose this theory is now starting to bear fruit - or, should I say, beginning to flower.

 

[ManFan]

so exporting opium is aright but interest rate which reduces inflation is considered as a wrong thing.....


#MuslimWorldAndTheirProblems

Interest has its positive signs but it's negative ones far outweigh them. Far example,
1) cause of unstable banking system which results in a government bailout
2) causes more burrowing and lending when profits are low which results in bankruptcies
3) global economy is collapsing due to rapid flow of capital across nations
4) gap between rich and poor is widened
5) gives way to Economic Hit Men ( Ex: Kermit Roosevelt in Iran )

 

[MenInG]

The Taliban vowed to ban drugs, but the trade appears to be booming under their rule.

Seizures of illicit drugs at one of Pakistan’s main border crossings with Afghanistan have increased significantly in recent weeks to reach levels not seen before, according to the Pakistani government.

In December 2021 and January 2022, authorities at the Torkham border post seized over 524 kg of hashish, 255 kg of heroin, 280 kg of opium, and almost 22 kg of methamphetamine, according to data shared with TRT World by Pakistan Customs.

And since those statistics were calculated, a further 7 kg heroin and 2.5 kg meth were intercepted at Torkham on 8 January and an Afghan national taken into custody, this author reported.

The amount of drugs seized has “definitely increased” said Muhammad Tayyab, additional collector at Pakistan Customs. The seizures are “unprecedented” for this time of year, Tayyab told TRT World.

On 6 January, there were two separate heroin hauls, one involving 100 kg, the other 130 kg. The latter was a record amount for any drug intercepted at Torkham, Tayyab said.

There has been a spate of sizeable drug seizures since December, with over 104 kg hashish and 70 kg opium seized on the 19th, followed by 420 kg hash and 210 kg opium on the 31st.

Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has also seized large amounts. In late December the agency intercepted over 2.2 tons of drugs, including heroin and meth, in operations across the country, followed by more than 3 tons in January.

Drug-trafficking from Afghanistan is increasing, according to Azlan Aslam, an official with the department of excise, taxation and narcotics control in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. “The seizures are rising as we are facing huge quantities of narcotics,” Azlam told TRT World.

The situation in Afghanistan is “fluid” and the state is experiencing a “lot of challenges”, said Akbar Durrani, who recently stepped down as Pakistan’s federal secretary of narcotics control. “That’s why such incidents are taking place.”

Afghanistan is the source of most of the world’s opium and heroin and manufactures cheap methamphetamine using the local ephedra plant, while also producing large amounts of cannabis resin, known as hashish.

The Taliban vowed to ban drugs, but the trade appears to be booming under their rule. Farmers have reported increasing opium poppy cultivation this planting season, and evidence points to more methamphetamine manufacture, too.

The Taliban did not respond to TRT World’s request for comment on the issue.

Illicit drugs are an economic lifeline for many Afghans as the country collapses into a desperate humanitarian crisis following the end of the NATO war and withdrawal of foreign aid, compounded by sanctions against the Taliban.

Trafficking from Afghanistan appears to be at high levels. There have been large, frequent seizures along the Balkan Route, used to smuggle Afghan drugs through Iran and Turkey to Europe, and Southern Route, via Pakistan and the Indian Ocean.

In December, police in southeast Iran reported that over 103 tons of drugs were seized in 8 months, while over 14 tons of narcotics were apparently intercepted in Bushehr province in the past 9 months, representing a 25 percent increase on the same period in 2020-1.

In late December, the US Navy seized 385 kg heroin and arrested Iranians on a vessel in the Arabian Sea that allegedly came from Iran, having earlier in the month found large amounts of meth and heroin while rescuing Iranian sailors from a burning vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

Drug seizures in Turkey also rose last year, according to the Turkish ministry of interior. The amount of heroin seized increased significantly from almost 14 tons to 20.5 tons in 2021, while 4.8 tons of meth were intercepted, up from about 4.2 tons the year before.

There have also been large drug hauls along Pakistan’s Makran Coast and in the Indian Ocean region. Last week the head of India’s Narcotics Control Bureau expressed concern about the risk of increased drug-trafficking from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover.

https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/p...dented-amount-of-drugs-from-afghanistan-53576

 

[Napa]

Given that the good-for-nothing-other-than-violence Taliban can't get the economy working, it is not surprising that they are descending to the level of drug dealers.

 

[Bewal Express]

Given that the good-for-nothing-other-than-violence Taliban can't get the economy working, it is not surprising that they are descending to the level of drug dealers.

Well the British went to war to sell the stuff, why can't the Taliban sell it. And are you against the sale of weapons

 

[mazkhan]

Most afghan farmers have no choice they need cash crops like opium , cannabis and ephedra to survive.

Along with drought, seed supply of crops, fertiliser costs , opium Is a more profitable and successful for farmers.

Infact I'm surprised pti isn't creating a legal avenue to grow opium cannabis ephedra for farmers in pakistan and also growing coca plant and extracting cocaine.
There's big money to be made in this and these narcotics can be used for the pharmaceutical trade or as herbal medicines which is growing business in particular cannabis oil.

It could help our mitigate some level of poverty at a rural level.

 

[Local.Dada]

Weren’t Taliban dumping liters of Alcohol recently?

but I guess selling opium is alright.

 

[JaDed]

Well the British went to war to sell the stuff, why can't the Taliban sell it. And are you against the sale of weapons

How many years ago was that? Are you saying Taliban is still stuck in that century?

Also it’s the Pakistani youth that will get most affected..

 

[DeadlyVenom]

How many years ago was that? Are you saying Taliban is still stuck in that century?

Also it’s the Pakistani youth that will get most affected..

The majority of it will get smuggled out into Europe, although Iran has had some problems in the past.

 

[Bewal Express]

How many years ago was that? Are you saying Taliban is still stuck in that century?

Also it’s the Pakistani youth that will get most affected..

Was opium any less dangerous then? And why are weapon sales allowed? BTW I am not for any sort of drugs but I hate the hypocrisy of these people that always comment without thinking

 

[LaLoco]

Banning will only increase the price, which will increase crime rate.

Creating legal avenue will help Afghan.

War on Drugs is a fail adventure and no one has won against unless it was either decriminalized or legalized.

And before Indian start giving lecture because they are still hurt about not to able to control Afghanistan, sit your behind on a comfy couch and relax.

 

[JaDed]

Was opium any less dangerous then? And why are weapon sales allowed? BTW I am not for any sort of drugs but I hate the hypocrisy of these people that always comment without thinking

Slavery was prevalent once doesn't mean we should allow that.. Afghans can do what they want, wouldnt make it right.

 

[JaDed]

Banning will only increase the price, which will increase crime rate.

Creating legal avenue will help Afghan.

War on Drugs is a fail adventure and no one has won against unless it was either decriminalized or legalized.

And before Indian start giving lecture because they are still hurt about not to able to control Afghanistan, sit your behind on a comfy couch and relax.

lol where should they legalize it?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Given that the good-for-nothing-other-than-violence Taliban can't get the economy working, it is not surprising that they are descending to the level of drug dealers.

US govt should offer to release Afghan assets if Taliban crack down on opium production. Actually they should be releasing those assets anyway, as they are the property of Afghans and would go a long way to alleviating poverty in that region. Afghans don't need aid, they just need access to their own funds.

 

[Local.Dada]

Was opium any less dangerous then? And why are weapon sales allowed? BTW I am not for any sort of drugs but I hate the hypocrisy of these people that always comment without thinking

What about the hypocrisy of Taliban who will travel a 1000 miles on a camel if necessary to destroy a bottle of Jack daniels but have no problem growing and selling opium which is way way worse.

 

[Bewal Express]

What about the hypocrisy of Taliban who will travel a 1000 miles on a camel if necessary to destroy a bottle of Jack daniels but have no problem growing and selling opium which is way way worse.

Which is a fair point but for people that sells weapons, and kill innocent people, it's also more than hypocrisy

 

[Bewal Express]

Slavery was prevalent once doesn't mean we should allow that.. Afghans can do what they want, wouldnt make it right.

Agree, but at the same time it needs to be pointed that the people doing the pointing also offer deadly weapons. So once again is selling Opium more dangerous than selling weapons.

 

[mazkhan]

Taliban don't sell the opium they just tax the farmers , labs and the smugglers

The reason they won't get rid of opium is because average farmers can earn nearly 10000 dollars and is a vital cash crop in a country which is suffering from drought , the opium crop is a vital resource in the pashtun hinterlands and can grow In harsh conditions. Otherwise people would starve and rebel.

Afghans have also made use of ephedra and are now producing ephedrine and memphetamines / crystal meth.

For example, Bakwa District’s thriving cottage industry in ephedrine and meth might be worth up to $240 million a year, Mansfield says. It provides seasonal employment for almost 20,000 people, 5,000 of whom are employed in meth labs, and contributes the equivalent of around $55 million a year in local wages.

 

[KingKhanWC]

The Taliban were eradicating the poppy before the invasion.

Under occuaption opium production sky rocketed. Its likely the Yanks were transporting it back home as they have done in the past in other areas of the world.

Now its tough to eradicate it , as it will cause hunger, poverty for many while Afghanistan is recovering from brutal occupation.

Western world who are the biggest consumers will in the next decade or two not want herion as a new synthetic form is readily avaiable now, cheaper and more potent.

 

[MenInG]

KABUL/PESHAWAR, April 3 (Reuters) - The Taliban announced on Sunday a ban on the cultivation of narcotics in Afghanistan, the world's biggest opium producer.

"As per the decree of the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, all Afghans are informed that from now on, cultivation of poppy has been strictly prohibited across the country," according to an order from the Taliban's supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada.

"If anyone violates the decree, the crop will be destroyed immediately and the violator will be treated according to the Sharia law," the order, announced at a news conference by the Ministry of Interior in Kabul, said.

The order said the production, use or transportation of other narcotics was also banned.

Drug control has been one major demand of the international community of the Islamist group, which took over the country in August and is seeking formal international recognition in order to wind back sanctions that are severely hampering banking, business and development.

The Taliban banned poppy growing towards the end of their last rule in 2000 as they sought international legitimacy, but faced a popular backlash and later mostly changed their stance, according to experts.

Afghanistan's opium production - which the United Nations estimated was worth $1.4 billion at its height in 2017 - has increased in recent months, farmers and Taliban members told Reuters.

The country's dire economic situation has prompted residents of south-eastern provinces to grow the illicit crop that could bring them faster and higher returns than legal crops such as wheat.

Taliban sources told Reuters they were anticipating tough resistance from some elements within the group against the ban on poppy and that there had been a surge in the number of farmers cultivating poppy in recent months.


A farmer in Helmand who spoke on condition of anonymity said that in recent weeks prices of poppy had already more than doubled on rumours the Taliban would ban its cultivation. But he added that he needed to grow poppy to support his family.

"Other crops are just not profitable," he said.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-...ivation-including-lucrative-opium-2022-04-03/