1,179 people arrested over drug smuggling last year

KABUL (Pajhwok): Nearly 1,200 people, including 306 women and two foreigners, have been arrested by police nation-wide last year in connection with smuggling of narcotics, an official said on Tuesday.

Ahmad Mowahid, spokesperson of Counter Narcotics Justice Centre (CNJC), during an exclusive interview told Pajhwok Afghan News that the detained persons had appeared before CNJC for investigation.

He said investigation office of CNJC addressed and inspected all cases within 72 hours and sent them to the Attorney General Office of CNJC for more investigation.

Among the detainees, 99 alleged smugglers including 15 women tried to smuggle opium, hashish and heroin in their luggage, dried fruit, cigar, hand bags and tubes to India and Dubai but police at Kabul International Airport foiled their attempts and arrested them.

He said in line with the Attorney General Office recommendation and verdict of court, 281 vehicles, 24 motorcycles, three bicycles, 1,659 mobile sets and 99 weapons have been recovered from smugglers.

According to Mowahid, last year primary court of CNJC sentenced 1,632 service members of Public Safety Unit, including 34 women, from one to 30 years in jail in 998 different cases.

He said the appellant court sentenced 1,111 smugglers, including 105 service members of Public Safety Forces, 170 women and one foreigner to jail term in 809 cases. They will not be able to register appeal against their punishment in the court.

Nh/ma

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