By Kauser News Agency February 22,2025-(PIC 1 -From Left)
The recent resurgence of Afghanistan’s opium trade has raised serious concerns among international observers, with a complex web of drug trafficking, money laundering, and business interests stretching from Kandahar to Dubai and Los Angeles. At the heart of this network is Bashir Ahmad Noorzai, a notorious drug lord once imprisoned in the United States and released in 2022 as part of a controversial prisoner exchange.
Noorzai’s Dubai Meetings: A Rekindling of Old Ties
On February 7, 2025, Bashir Ahmad Noorzai was seen in Dubai, reportedly holding meetings with his long-time business associates. Among those present was Mirwais Azizi, the founder of Azizi Bank, Afghanistan’s largest private financial institution. Just days later, on February 20, Azizi traveled to Kabul, where he participated in a high-level meeting with senior Taliban leaders.
A photograph from the Dubai meeting (Pic 1) shows Noorzai alongside Haji Ahmad, a prominent Pakistani businessman and former Speaker of the Pakistani Parliament. Haji Ahmad, known for his leadership of MAK Trading, has long been involved in cross-border commerce, specializing in energy drinks like Big Bear, soda distribution, and vehicle exports to conflict zones such as Sudan and Somalia.
Shadowy Business Connections
The presence of figures like Haji Ahmad raises red flags about the true nature of these business ventures. His brother-in-law, Abdullah Popal, based in Los Angeles, California, appears to be another link in this transnational chain. (Pic 2)
Perhaps the most concerning figure is Haji Khoshal, also known as Kice Popal. A long-time associate of Noorzai, Popal began his career in Frankfurt, Germany, in the late 1994s, allegedly managing drug distribution for Noorzai’s network. By the early 2002s, Popal diversified into telecommunications projects in Kandahar, becoming a significant shareholder in several ventures.
Popal, often described as a radical figure with deep ties to the Karachi cartel, has appeared numerous times in German media, including reports by RTL News and Bild. His recent activities suggest he may have been appointed by Noorzai to oversee operations in Europe, further expanding the cartel’s influence across the continent. (Pic 3)
Azizi Bank: A Financial Lifeline for Drug Cartels?
The role of Azizi Bank in this emerging network cannot be overlooked. As the largest financial institution in Afghanistan, the bank has long been accused of facilitating money laundering for the Taliban and drug traffickers. With Mirwais Azizi’s recent engagements with Noorzai and Taliban leadership, concerns are mounting that the bank is once again being used to move illicit funds across borders.
While the full extent of Azizi Bank’s involvement remains unclear, what is evident is that this pipeline—from Kandahar to Dubai to LA—stands to benefit drug cartels and the Taliban, strengthening their grip on Afghanistan’s economy and further destabilizing the region.
Kauser News, The Truth Media, will continue to report and provide updates on this developing story, ensuring that the world remains informed about the dark networks operating behind the scenes.
*Report has been prepared with KCISFA and other International Security Agency’s
*Individuals in this Report has been contacted for a comment 72hr in Advance.
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