Afghanistan International: Mohammad Reza Kazemi, Iran’s Deputy Head of the Drug Control Headquarters, said that there is still no documented evidence of a reduction in drug production in Afghanistan. Kazemi pointed out that the activities of smugglers in the region indicate that there hasn’t been any significant decrease in drug production. In April 2022, the Taliban banned poppy cultivation as well as its production, consumption, purchase, and sale. In a decree attributed to Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the group, it was announced that anyone engaging in poppy cultivation would have their land destroyed and face consequences. However, regional countries continue to report seizure of drugs originating from Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).