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Afghan Forces Torch 3 Heroin Labs, Seize Tons of Narcotics in Major Crackdown

Afghan security forces have destroyed three clandestine heroin processing laboratories in western and southern provinces. In parallel, police in Kabul have detained 172 drug users for rehabilitation. Official annual figures reveal a massive nationwide effort, with over 10,000 operations leading to the seizure of thousands of tons of illicit drugs and the dismantling of hundreds of labs. Recent months have seen continued targeted raids resulting in further arrests and confiscations in various provinces.

Key Points: Afghan Forces Destroy Heroin Labs, Seize 2,356 Tons of Drugs

  • 3 heroin labs destroyed in Farah & Helmand
  • 172 drug users rounded up in Kabul
  • 2,356 tons of drugs seized in 2025
  • 517 drug labs dismantled last year
2 min read

Afghan forces torch 3 clandestine heroin labs

Afghan security forces torch clandestine heroin labs, arrest suspects, and seize thousands of tons of illicit narcotics in nationwide counter-narcotics operations.

"destroying the facilities and recovering substantial quantities of substances used in heroin production - Ministry of Interior Affairs"

Kabul, Jan 13

Afghan security forces uncovered and torched three clandestine heroin processing laboratories and a large amount of illicit drugs in western Farah and southern Helmand provinces, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said in separate statements on Tuesday.

Counter-narcotics units carried out targeted operations on the outskirts of the two provinces, destroying the facilities and recovering substantial quantities of substances used in heroin production, according to the ministry's statements, Xinhua News Agency reported.

As part of ongoing efforts to combat drug addiction, Afghan police have recently rounded up 172 drug users in Kabul. These individuals have been transferred to a rehabilitation centre for medical care and support.

Meanwhile, Afghan forces conducted 10,599 operations throughout 2025, confiscating 2,356 tons of illicit drugs and dismantling 517 clandestine drug processing labs, according to official figures.

On December 21, 2025, provincial police headquarters stated that Afghan counter-narcotics police had destroyed a drug processing laboratory and arrested one suspect in connection with the case in the eastern Laghman province.

Acting on a tip-off, police carried out an operation in Mehtarlam district on December 20, where they uncovered a drug processing facility. A large quantity of materials and equipment used for heroin production was seized and destroyed at the site, the statement said.

On November 14, 2025, provincial police spokesman Nizamudin Omir said that police had arrested a suspected drug smuggler and confiscated illicit narcotics during an operation in the northern Takhar province.

According to the official, the suspect was detained while attempting to transport crystal methamphetamine and other chemicals used in heroin production to Taluqan, the provincial capital, where he allegedly planned to sell the materials.

The suspect has been placed in custody for further investigation, the spokesman added.

On November 9, provincial police spokesman Gul Mohammad Qudrat said that Afghan counter-narcotics forces had confiscated 170 kg of opium poppy and apprehended two suspected smugglers in the western Nimroz province.

The seizure took place during a targeted operation in the Zanjer Sharqi area along the Zaranj-Delaram highway, the official said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see action being taken. But the numbers are staggering - 2,356 tons of drugs seized in a year? The scale of the problem is terrifying. Our own BSF and NCB must be on high alert to prevent any spillover across our borders.
R
Rohit P
While I applaud the crackdown, I hope the rehabilitation efforts for the 172 users are genuine and not just for show. Addiction is a disease, not a crime. India has its own massive drug problem among youth, we need to learn from both successes and failures.
S
Sarah B
The international community needs to support these efforts more. A stable and drug-free Afghanistan is in everyone's interest, especially neighboring countries like India and Pakistan.
V
Vikram M
The mention of the Zaranj-Delaram highway is interesting. India built that highway. It's a crucial trade route but also seems to be used for smuggling. Shows how infrastructure development has complex consequences.
K
Karthik V
Respectfully, I have to question the sustainability. We've seen these "major crackdown" reports for years, yet the flow never seems to stop. Is the root cause—poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods for farmers—being addressed? Until that happens, labs will just pop up elsewhere.

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