Russian Security Council Secretary Says Taliban Reduced Drug Production by 90 Percent

Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, stated that the Taliban have reduced the production and trafficking of heavy drugs from Afghanistan by nearly 90 percent. He described the reduction as a major achievement aligned with goals the group had set.

Shoigu's remarks come amid reports of continued drug activity linked to Afghanistan. On June 18, officials from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan stated that a major part of the regional drug trafficking threat originates from Afghanistan-linked transit routes, with dozens of shipments seized at the border.

Alexander Bortnikov stated that nearly 170 drug production laboratories were destroyed and about 9 tons of drugs seized in CIS countries last year. He noted that transnational networks are forming new production belts involving Afghanistan.

Russia is the only country that has recognized the Taliban administration and established economic and military engagement with them.