KABUL: Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, has turned into a hub for narcotics, smuggling, and terrorism, posing a serious danger to the region. Once known primarily for its opium cultivation, the country has now emerged as a global center for the production and trafficking of crystal meth and other synthetic drugs.
A new and alarming report titled “Afghanistan Drug Insights 2025,” jointly released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), reveals a dramatic surge in the production and trafficking of chemical drugs in Afghanistan.
According to the report, Afghanistan has become a new hub for the manufacture of synthetic drugs, especially crystal meth—commonly known as “ice.” Farmlands once used for opium poppy cultivation are rapidly being replaced by chemical laboratories producing synthetic narcotics.
Between 2017 and 2021, the volume of seized synthetic drugs in Afghanistan reached 30 tons, the report stated. In western Afghanistan, the local shrub “Ephedra” provides the key raw material for meth production. The report further noted that hundreds of small-scale drug laboratories are currently operational in provinces such as Helmand, Farah, Herat, and Nimroz.
With Afghanistan emerging as a major center for meth production, it has also become a key transit point for illegal drug trafficking. The report stresses that the scale of narcotics operations in the country can no longer be concealed.
Pakistan anti-narcotics steps
Neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, face growing threats from cross-border drug smuggling originating from Afghanistan. However, the Pakistani government has implemented significant and effective measures to combat narcotics and curb smuggling activities.
In one major operation, the Pakistan Navy successfully intercepted two ships in the Arabian Sea, seizing crystal meth and cocaine worth $972 million. During the same operation, naval forces confiscated 2.5 tons of crystal meth and 50 kilograms of cocaine from the vessels.
Experts warn that ensuring regional peace and stability is no longer possible without making Afghanistan free of drugs and narcotics networks.
