Kazakhstan seizes $500,000 worth of drugs from Afghanistan

The National Security Committee of Kazakhstan has announced the discovery and seizure of 50 kilograms of drugs from Afghanistan in collaboration with Russian intelligence services.

The committee stated that the seized drugs were of the hashish type, with an estimated value of around $500,000 on the “black market.”

On Friday, August 23, the National Security Committee of Kazakhstan issued a statement revealing that the intelligence services of Kazakhstan and Russia successfully blocked a drug trafficking route from Afghanistan.

According to the statement, the joint operation between Russia and Kazakhstan took place in August of this year, resulting in the arrest of two members of an international drug trafficking group in a border region of Russia while they were conducting a drug deal.

The National Security Committee of Kazakhstan reported that investigations into these individuals are ongoing.

Meanwhile, a report by Princeton University’s “World Politics” journal revealed that the price of Afghanistan heroin in the UK has surged, with one kilogram now costing $30,000, double the previous price. This increase comes despite large quantities of opium being stockpiled in Afghanistan.

The journal highlighted that even with the Taliban’s ban on poppy cultivation, drug trafficking and smuggling continue to supply European markets. Senior researchers Philip Berry and David Mansfield noted that these substantial reserves and ongoing trade have prevented a heroin shortage in Europe.

Their research indicates that the Taliban’s efforts to curb drug trafficking have been largely ineffective. Despite the ban, drug prices have dropped by nearly 50%, suggesting significant stockpiles in Afghanistan. Satellite data also suggests that farmers in southwest Afghanistan may have stored around 16,500 metric tons of opium before 2022, ensuring a steady supply to international markets.

Since the Taliban came to power, several large drug shipments have been intercepted in various countries. Many neighboring countries of Afghanistan and Central Asian nations are increasingly concerned about the continued trafficking of drugs from Afghanistan into their territories.

The interception of this significant drug shipment highlights the ongoing challenges in combating drug trafficking in the region. Kazakhstan’s and Russia’s collaborative efforts indicate the seriousness with which these countries are addressing the issue.

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