Taliban Arrest 39 in Nine Provinces on Drug Trafficking and Use Charges

The Taliban’s Counter-Narcotics Directorate has announced the arrest of 39 individuals accused of drug trafficking, consumption, and transportation during operations carried out in nine provinces: Khost, Parwan, Paktia, Farah, Kapisa, Balkh, Baghlan, Laghman, and Faryab.

According to the directorate, authorities seized six kilograms of hashish, an unspecified quantity of the synthetic drug known as crystal meth, alcoholic beverages, and various narcotic pills from those detained.

The Taliban have not provided further details regarding the identities of those arrested, the exact timing of the detentions, or what legal steps will follow. It also remains unclear whether the operations were based on public complaints, intelligence reports, or routine patrols.

While the Taliban claim to take the fight against drugs seriously, experts have expressed concern over a lack of transparency in arrests and judicial proceedings, raising doubts about the official approach to narcotics control.