Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Ministry of Counter Narcotics
Office of the Spokesperson
Press Release

Augest 20th,  2008

Dr. Mohammad Zafar, Deputy Minister of Counter Narcotics of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, while talking to the media during a press conference today said “Precursor are coming illegally from outside of Afghanistan through different trafficking routes; he further added that at present there is no legal use for some of the precursors in particular, Acetic Anhydrate”.

He added that “The International Mafia is using different trafficking routes to smuggle these chemical precursors into Afghanistan in order to make different types of drugs and then smuggle “The Drug Regulation Committee (DRC) that was established two years ago in accordance to the Counter Narcotics Law is the only authority in the country to issue license for import and export and manufacturing of all drug under control (psychotropic, Narcotics) and precursors”.

This committee is comprised of representatives of the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Counter Narcotics and Ministry of Finance and has been working for the past two years with its office at the Ministry of Counter Narcotics.

The DRC is the responsible authority evaluating the entire request for legal import, export manufacturing of the drugs under control and precursors from all government and non governmental organizations and private sector based on finding issuing certificates for legal use only.

Dr. Mohammad Zafar, said “ one of the most important precursors that is used for processing of opium into heroin is Acetic Anhydrate, so far the Drug Regulation Committee has not issued any license for the import of this particular precursor due to lack of legal usage in the country”.

All responsible organizations such as counter narcotics police, border police, custom authority and national security are trying hard to control drug trafficking and seize the illegal import and export of drugs and precursors. In the year 1386 (Afghan calendar) 159684.48 Kg precursors and in the first 3 month of the year 1387 (AC) 5613.99 Kg of precursors have been seized.

He also requested from the international community not to issue license for export of precursor chemicals, if import of such items are not authorized by Afghanistan’s Drug Regulation Committee.

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