The Taliban's Deputy Interior Minister for Counter-Narcotics says that in 2026, 26,800 hectares of land under drug cultivation in Afghanistan were identified using satellite imagery and the crops were destroyed.
Abdul Rahman Munir, the deputy minister, stated that the Taliban government's efforts and the provision of security have been significant factors in reducing the cultivation and production of narcotics. Simultaneously, a spokesperson for the Taliban's Interior Ministry claimed that a major portion of drugs is smuggled into Afghanistan from Pakistan.
Mr. Munir emphasized the need for continued counter-narcotics efforts, securing customs and borders, and cooperation from the international community. He said the fight cannot be fully effective without regional and international collaboration.
He also deemed the expansion of alternative crops and support for farmers as essential to prevent a return to poppy cultivation. According to him, providing livelihood opportunities for farmers is a fundamental factor for success in this struggle.
This comes as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported in June of this year that opium production in Afghanistan has plummeted by 95% following the Taliban's cultivation ban. According to the report, cultivation levels dropped from 232,000 hectares in 2022 to 10,200 hectares in 2025.
However, the UN has warned that existing opium stockpiles in Afghanistan could last until the end of 2026, which continues to pose a serious challenge to the region and the world.
Source: Text file
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