In brief
Afghan authorities announced the seizure of 83 kg of drugs in Kalafgan district of Takhar province and 79 kg in Tashkan district of Badakhshan province, totaling over 160 kg. Two individuals were taken into custody during the raids, a move highlighted by the Ministry of Interior Affairs as a significant success in the fight against drug trafficking.
In the northern Afghan provinces of Takhar and Badakhshan, police forces carried out coordinated raids that ended with the confiscation of more than 160 kilograms of illegal drugs, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior Affairs released on Monday, November 9, 2026.
The curbs were carried out in two district centers. In Kalafgan, a district of Takhar province, officers seized 83 kilograms of narcotics and detained two suspects believed to be involved in the operation. The same day, a separate operation in Tashkan district of Badakhshan province resulted in the seizure of an additional 79 kilograms of illicit drugs.
Police movements were reportedly planned in advance, with intelligence pointing to the presence of large drug shipments moving through the area. The seized material included a variety of substances found to be in high demand both locally and internationally.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs described the conversion as “a substantial blow to the drug trafficking network operating in the region.” The statement added that the operation was part of a broader campaign to curb the narcotics trade that has long plagued Afghanistan’s northern corridor.
Regional authorities said that the narcotics had been stored in hidden caches near the outskirts of the two districts, making the interdiction possible only after a meticulous search operation involving several units of the Afghan National Police. The teams succeeded in locating the contraband before it could be moved further east toward potential transit routes to neighboring countries.
The seizure comes at a time when Afghan officials are under pressure to demonstrate progress in dismantling drug smuggling channels amid continued security challenges. By contrast, Taliban authorities who also lie in control of some provinces have not yet issued a statement on the operation or its implications for their rule in the north.
The seized drugs will be transferred to a secure storage facility under the jurisdiction of the Afghan Interior Ministry, where forensic teams are expected to verify the type and quantity of the narcotics. The police will continue to process the two suspects in accordance with national criminal procedure, with the intent of pursuing legal action against them.
Despite the success, experts note that the operation highlights the persistent problem of drug trafficking in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions. The Ministry’s announcement seeks to reassure the public that law‑enforcement agencies remain vigilant, yet the long‑standing issue is far from resolved, as new drug routes and networks continually evolve.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs later issued a follow‑up message offering gratitude to the police units involved and urged citizens to report suspicious activities related to narcotics. The message also mentioned that law enforcement will keep collaborating with international partners to strengthen the fight against illicit drug trade.