Afghanistan reports over 25,000 anti-drug operations in 2026

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says more than 25,000 anti-drug operations have been conducted in the country in 2026, resulting in the destruction of 26,500 hectares of poppy and cannabis crops and the arrest of 10,065 suspects.

The figures were announced at a meeting in Kabul titled “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Fight Against Drugs: Facts and Achievements,” hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended by Islamic Emirate officials, foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations.

Abdul Rahman Munir, deputy minister for counter-narcotics at the Ministry of Interior, said the operations also led to the discovery and closure of 301 drug-processing laboratories, two chemical pill factories and 15 alcohol-producing factories.

Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the enforcement of the decree banning drug cultivation, production, processing, trafficking and use reflected the authorities’ position on combating narcotics.

Muttaqi also raised concerns over widespread drug cultivation in Afghanistan’s neighboring countries and the trafficking of narcotics from those areas. He said international cooperation was necessary for the anti-drug campaign to achieve its objectives.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Naeem, the Foreign Ministry’s deputy minister for finance and administration, stressed the need to provide alternative livelihoods for farmers, support health centers, strengthen technical assistance and improve regional coordination to sustain progress in counter-narcotics efforts.

The meeting concluded with calls for continued efforts to combat drugs, expand alternative livelihood opportunities for farmers and strengthen regional and international cooperation.