Taliban Move to Ban Opium Production in Afghanistan

[Swordsmyth]

Taliban leaders, seeking international acceptance after seizing power in Afghanistan, have told farmers to stop cultivating opium poppies, residents of some major poppy-growing areas say. This has caused raw opium prices to soar across the country.

In recent days, Taliban representatives began telling gatherings of villagers in the southern province of Kandahar, one of the country’s main opium-producing regions, that the crop—a crucial part of the local economy—would now be banned.

This followed a statement by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid at an Aug. 18 news conference in Kabul that the country’s new rulers won’t permit the drug trade. Mr. Mujahid at the time didn’t offer details of how the Islamist group intends to enforce the ban.

Local farmers in Kandahar, Uruzgan and Helman provinces said raw opium prices have tripled, from about $70 to about $200 per kilogram, due to uncertainty about future production. In the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, the opium price has doubled, residents there said. Raw opium is processed into heroin.

The Taliban have long been one of the narcotics industry’s top beneficiaries, using taxation of the drug business to finance their 20-year insurgency, Western governments say. Afghanistan accounts for some 80% of the world’s illicit opiates exports, and the poppy-planting season starts in about a month.

More at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/taliban...on-11630181316

[alivecream]

This is the reason why other countries are planting their own opium. But, I'm wondering what would be the situation of those ill person relying on Opium as medicine in Afghanistan?

[sparebulb]

The Taliban have long been one of the narcotics industry’s top beneficiaries, using taxation of the drug business to finance their 20-year insurgency, Western governments say.

This might be true.

But why does it sound inconsistent with what we know about the Taliban?

Or, could it be that this is simply not true.

Personally, I don't care one way or the other.

But this is just another reason not to read "news" from the "credible" outlets.

[Working Poor]

Well I guess China will step in and do their duty to become the main producer of heroin so they can make their fentenal or what ever that stuff is called.

[ClaytonB]

This might be true.

But why does it sound inconsistent with what we know about the Taliban?

Or, could it be that this is simply not true.

Personally, I don't care one way or the other.

But this is just another reason not to read "news" from the "credible" outlets.

It's not difficult to follow their logic, if you try. When they were out of power, by taxing opium (to the extent they were able), they were making it more difficult to produce opium than it otherwise would have been, while funding operations while awaiting US withdrawal. Once the US withdrew, they were able to move in and shut down opium production outright, since they will derive revenue by taxing other, Sharia-legal industries. Not saying the Taliban are good, but the US-regime's demonization of them is wholly manufactured.

[acptulsa]

It's not difficult to follow their logic, if you try. When they were out of power, by taxing opium (to the extent they were able), they were making it more difficult to produce opium than it otherwise would have been, while funding operations while awaiting US withdrawal. Once the US withdrew, they were able to move in and shut down opium production outright, since they will derive revenue by taxing other, Sharia-legal industries. Not saying the Taliban are good, but the US-regime's demonization of them is wholly manufactured.

Well, you know, the CIA has derived a lot of its income from heroin for a very long time. It's no wonder they're upset. They might have to depend wholly on freshly printed money. God forbid the Company be reduced to Congressional oversight.

[ClaytonB]

Well, you know, the CIA has derived a lot of its income from heroin for a very long time. It's no wonder they're upset. They might have to depend wholly on freshly printed money. God forbid the Company be reduced to Congressional oversight.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to acptulsa again.

[pcosmar]

It's not difficult to follow their logic, if you try. When they were out of power, by taxing opium (to the extent they were able), they were making it more difficult to produce opium than it otherwise would have been, while funding operations while awaiting US withdrawal. Once the US withdrew, they were able to move in and shut down opium production outright, since they will derive revenue by taxing other, Sharia-legal industries. Not saying the Taliban are good, but the US-regime's demonization of them is wholly manufactured.

Were they collecting Taxes from the US Troops that were Guarding and Protecting the Poppy Production?

because that would be FUNNY.

[luctor-et-emergo]

This might be true.

But why does it sound inconsistent with what we know about the Taliban?

Or, could it be that this is simply not true.

Personally, I don't care one way or the other.

But this is just another reason not to read "news" from the "credible" outlets.

I think you are right, I think it even was banned previously when they were in power (could be wrong) but they never really enforced it strictly as they didn't mind the income.

[acptulsa]

I think you are right, I think it even was banned previously when they were in power (could be wrong) but they never really enforced it strictly as they didn't mind the income.

It was indeed. And that may have precipitated the invasion. The CIA does dearly love heroin addicts.

[ClaytonB]

Were they collecting Taxes from the US Troops that were Guarding and Protecting the Poppy Production?

because that would be FUNNY.

Doesn't matter anymore. So who's really laughing...

[ClaytonB]

It was indeed. And that may have precipitated the invasion. The CIA does dearly love heroin addicts.

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