4,377 drug smugglers arrested last year

KABUL (Pajhwok): Over 4,000 alleged drug smugglers have been arrested in 3,702 operations and tens of drug producing factories destroyed last year, an official said on Sunday.

FazelWaseeq, assistant head of Department of Counter-Narcotics, said 22 drug processing factories, 17 alcohol producing factories and 21 drug storages were destroyed during the operations.

He said drug smugglers annually earned up to $400 million from drug business.

Acting Health Minister WaheedullahMajroh said 72 hospitals have been established for the treatment of drug addicts in the country. These facilities have the capacity of 4,000 beds.

“There are people who come to the hospitals for a sixth time, after treatment they return to their habit,” he said.

Kabul Governor Mohammad Yaqoub Haidari said one of the reasons behind growing crimes in Kabul was surge in the number of drug addicts.

“All we know the sellers of drug. People know them as well, but police don’t act against them.”

He also demanded people cooperate with the government in fight against narcotics.

According to Haidari, poppy was cultivated on 250 acres of land in Kabul.

Nh/ma

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