
Taliban Destroys Approximately 800 Square Meters of Drug Crops in Ghazni
KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban reported discovering and destroying approximately 800 square meters of drug crops in Ghazni province, describing it as the first such destruction and cleanup operation of the year 1405.
A Taliban official stated on X that sales and smuggling of drugs in Ghazni have "almost" reached zero.
The operation comes amid Mullah Hibatullah's 1401 decree banning drug cultivation and production. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported that poppy cultivation has shifted from the southwest to the northeast of the country.
According to a November report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), poppy cultivation in Afghanistan decreased by 20 percent, while production of industrial drugs increased by 50 percent.
In mid-January last year, Turkish police described Afghanistan as remaining central to drug production and smuggling, with Turkey serving as a main route to Europe.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Sources (1)
More in Economy

Taliban Deputy PM Meets Uzbek Official to Address Drug Shortage

Kyrgyzstan Deputy Foreign Minister Says Afghanistan Holds Special Place in Economic Programs

Afghanistan Bank President Reports 10.77% Afghani Appreciation Against Dollar Last Year

Mines and Petroleum Minister Mullah Haidatullah Badri Meets Turkey's Charge d'Affaires on Mineral Investments
ReliableTaliban Deputy PM Meets Uzbek Official to Address Drug Shortage
Taliban Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi met Uzbek official Abdullah Azizov to discuss exporting high-quality drugs and lab cooperation amid Afghanistan's pharmaceutical shortages linked to Pakistan border issues. Uzbek investors expressed readiness to invest, while additional talks with India and Iran were reported by one outlet.
ReliableKyrgyzstan Deputy Foreign Minister Says Afghanistan Holds Special Place in Economic Programs
Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Foreign Minister Kayrat Tursunkulov said at a Kabul meeting that Afghanistan holds a special place in his country's economic programs, including new rail links to China and the nearing CASA-1000 project. Uzbekistan's Deputy Foreign Minister Babur Usmanov announced the start of studies for the Afghan-Trans rail network in Afghanistan.
ReliableAfghanistan Bank President Reports 10.77% Afghani Appreciation Against Dollar Last Year
Afghanistan Bank President Noor Ahmad Agha reported that bank assets increased by 4.69 percent and the Afghani appreciated 10.77 percent against the dollar last year, signaling banking sector stability and customer trust. A high council meeting discussed monetary policies, Islamic banking development, electronic banking growth, and expanded financial access.
ReliableMines and Petroleum Minister Mullah Haidatullah Badri Meets Turkey's Charge d'Affaires on Mineral Investments
Mines and Petroleum Minister Mullah Haidatullah Badri met with Turkey's Charge d'Affaires Sadin Ildiz to discuss bilateral relations and investments in Afghanistan's gold, oil, and gas resources. Ildiz expressed interest from Turkish companies, which Badri welcomed and encouraged.