Tajikistan called on international organizations to strengthen the country's border with Afghanistan because of the worsening situation with drug trafficking. This was stated by Khabibullo Vohidzoda, Director of the Drug Control Agency under the President of Tajikistan at a session of the UN Commission on Drugs held in Vienna.
According to the press center of the republic's anti-drug agency, Vohidzoda drew the session's attention to the situation related to illicit drug trafficking in Tajikistan and the region, especially to the situation related to drug smuggling across the Tajik-Afghan border. "Vohidzoda also called on donor countries and international organizations to support Tajikistan in strengthening control on the border with Afghanistan," the press center said. In his speech, he informed about the measures taken by the Tajik authorities to combat smuggling and drug trafficking, including tightening border control and the construction and commissioning of border facilities.
The 66th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs began in Vienna on 13 March. The session will continue its work until March 19.
Tajikistan's law enforcement and security agencies seized more than four tonnes of drugs in 2022, the agency said. Last year, authorities seized more than 2.4 tons in the border districts of Khatlon alone, which is more than 60% of the total amount of drugs seized in the republic. The agency indicates that drug smuggling across the Tajik-Afghan border has increased with changes in the military-political situation in Afghanistan and the coming to power of the Taliban (Taliban movement - banned in Russia). The UN Office on Drugs and Crime noted in its 2022 report that opium cultivation in Afghanistan increased by 32% compared with 2021 and totaled 177,000 hectares and 233,000 hectares respectively.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Rjruiziii/Creative Commons 3.0
Based on materials from TASS