By Kauser News , USA
In a disturbing development, the price of Afghan opium has surged dramatically, reaching 20,500 AFN per kilogram in the northern province of Badakhshan, according to exclusive information obtained by Kauser News. Sources within the region have revealed that the district of Argo is emerging as a new hotspot for opium distribution, drawing comparisons to the infamous Musa Qala, a major opium-producing region in the past.
Our intelligence reporters, A0106 and A444, have confirmed that a local opium distributor, identified as “Hamza” (name changed for security reasons), has been orchestrating a significant pipeline of narcotics from Argo. In a recent conversation, Hamza revealed that buyers who purchase a ton or more of opium can expect to pay 20,500 AFN per kilogram, a stark indication of how entrenched the drug trade remains in northern Afghanistan.
This new distribution network is capable of supplying vast quantities of opium and other drugs to international markets, marking an alarming escalation in the drug trade in the region. Despite the Taliban’s repeated claims that they intend to curb the country’s notorious opium production, this evidence points to a concerning reality: the illicit trade is thriving under their regime.
Hamza, a courier and private pilot, disclosed details of how the drug operation is being managed with increasing sophistication. His possession of a private pilot’s license (PPL) suggests that the logistics behind this narcotics empire are far more advanced than previously known. It also raises serious concerns about the use of aviation routes for drug trafficking.
This revelation comes at a time when the Taliban have pledged to clamp down on opium production, which has historically been a major source of income for the country, particularly in rural areas where alternative livelihoods are scarce. However, Kauser News’ investigation suggests that, contrary to their public statements, the Taliban may be facilitating or at least turning a blind eye to the ongoing trade, which continues to be a lucrative industry in Afghanistan.
Badakhshan, a remote province bordering Tajikistan and China, has become a strategic base for this new drug pipeline, which serves both local and international markets. Argo district’s transformation into a significant distribution hub is part of a broader trend of expanding drug networks in northern Afghanistan, an area that had previously been less associated with large-scale opium production compared to southern provinces like Helmand and Kandahar.
Kauser News is continuing its investigation into the situation, with reporters also gathering intelligence from other provinces across Afghanistan. The rise of this new drug trafficking pipeline underscores the need for the international community to reassess its strategy in addressing the Afghan narcotics trade, which shows no sign of slowing down under Taliban rule.
As the opium trade flourishes, it threatens not only the stability of Afghanistan but also the global fight against narcotics, with ripple effects likely to be felt in drug markets across Europe, Asia, and beyond. The future of Afghanistan’s illicit economy remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the promises made by the Taliban to eliminate opium production ring increasingly hollow.
2024©️Kauser News , California USA
Ground Reporter A0106 M
Ground Reporter A444 Pamir.G