RASC News Agency: Local sources from Herat report that the Taliban in this province have returned seized narcotics to a trafficker in exchange for a monetary payment. On Saturday, August 3, sources revealed that a few days ago, a trafficker was transporting a quantity of narcotics of type (F) from Ghor province to Herat. These narcotics were discovered and seized by the Taliban in the provincial capital, and the trafficker was subsequently arrested.
According to the sources, the Taliban returned nearly 100 kilograms of the seized narcotics to the trafficker after receiving a payment of 200,000 Kabuli rupees. The trafficker was not allowed to reclaim his narcotics until he paid the required amount to the Taliban. The sources further indicated that after reclaiming the narcotics, the trafficker transported the drugs to Islam Qala and subsequently smuggled them into Iran.
The Taliban in Herat have not commented on this incident. Notably, in October of last year, the Taliban similarly returned over 30 kilograms of narcotics, including “opium and methamphetamine,” to a trafficker due to “receiving a call from Helmand.” The Taliban are known for their ethnic biases, and bribery and cronyism are rampant within their ranks. They often release criminals in exchange for money.
It is noteworthy that the Taliban, based on ethnic discrimination and various false accusations, detain numerous individuals and then release them upon receiving payment from their families. Frequently, individuals detained on charges of narcotics trafficking are released through the intervention of a Taliban member or official, who, after receiving a bribe, promises to return the seized narcotics. Previously, people have complained that Taliban members in ministries demand bribes even for stamping a single document.
