Kabul – The drug traffickers in southwestern Afghanistan have told the BBC that they have gained more freedom since the Taliban retook control of the country.
Sources say that about 3,000 kilograms of crystal meth are produced daily in 500 temporary factories in the southwest of the country, according to a report which was published today Sunday, December 12.
“We have also gained freedom since the Taliban seized control of the country,” said a drug dealer in Helmand to the BBC with a smile.
In addition, the Taliban have reportedly imposed severe restrictions on the large opium market in Helmand since taking control and did not allow BBC cameramen to film.
“After pressuring the head of the Taliban Cultural Commission in the province over why they have banned media coverage, the man ended the interview and threatened to break the cameraman’s camera if his video was not deleted,” said the BBC correspondent.
Some drug traffickers have told the BBC that the Taliban could ban the cultivation and production of the drugs if they wanted to.
However, the farmers have stated that drugs are a source of income and that cultivation by the Taliban will be banned if the international community helps Afghanistan.
Moreover, the drug manufacturers are now fortifying meth with ephedra.
According to them, the Taliban used to tax the ephedra plant, but now they have banned it altogether.
The producers said the ban on ephedra had doubled the wholesale price of meth in the province.
However, they have stated that they have a stockpile full of this plant for their next production and that their stockpile will be sufficient for production until June 2022.
“We are aware of the disadvantages of our work, however, other cultivations do not benefit us,” said many drug manufacturers.
According to him, if they are going to grow okra or eggplant, they should be drilled for that well, the products of which will not even halve the cost of drilling the well.
It is worth mentioning that the value of one kilogram of Afghan heroin for export is estimated at one thousand and 190 dollars.
Furthermore, a former drug trafficker in the UK has told the BBC that by the time a kilo of heroin arrives in the country, it will be worth $66,000.
According to David Mansfield, a prominent specialist in drug trafficking in Afghanistan, meth production in the country is higher than that of heroin.
“During the first period of the Taliban regime, it took years for drugs to be banned, but opium was still present in Afghanistan,” said Mansfield.
“Drug eradication is helping Afghanistan and the international community, and that is why the world needs to help,” said Bilal Karimi, the Taliban spokesman.
Meanwhile, according to statistics, Afghan opium makes up 80% of the world’s opium and is still growing.
