Afghanistan: Opium prices approach historic tops, syndicating crime benefits

One kilogram of opium cost $ 750 last year, more than $ 75 just three years ago, compensating for the sellers for the loss in total production and poppy, stating the UN Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

“Heroins and opium attacks are about 50 percent of 2021,” UN agency reported, pointing out that the decrease after the ban in Afghanistan led to the fall of human trafficking.

Opium is naturally located primary active ingredient used in the production of heroin, more powerful, synthetic medicine. The three main global sources of illegal opium are Afghanistan, Colombia and Myanmar.

Due to higher prices, “Massive profits are still performed, primarily benefit from high-level retailers and exports in organized criminal groups,” UNODC noted.

Dwindling Stocpiles

The UN Agency estimates that the opiates are in the end of 2022. Amounted to 13,200 tons, enough to potentially fulfill the demand for Afghan opija until 2027. years. Years.

“Rest in the prices of narcotic groups and significant stocks means that drug trade in Afghanistan remains a very profitable illegal trade”, said CEO of UNODC Ghada Wally.

“Profits are channeled on transnational groups of crime, destabilizing Afghanistan, region and wider. We need a coordinated strategy of counter-narcotics that goes the trade network while at the same time invest in sustainable economic funds for farmers to provide long-term stability for Afghanistan and its people. ”

Afghan stock is considered to be before the decline enrolled in opium and 5.9 billion dollars or approximately 23 to 29 percent of Earth’s economy in 2023. Years. This may have helped that some ordinary Afghans endure, the earth faced the return of the de facto organ, he said in Urodac.

Farmer’s fight

However, with 60 percent of stocks likely in the hands of large retailers and exporters and only 30 percent of farmers who have “small to modest” reserves in 2022, “Most of the farmers who previously processed opium is probably experiencing severe financial difficulties”, “ The UN agency warned.

Sustainable economic alternatives are urgently needed to discourage them to return to Poppy cultivation, especially given today’s great prices of opium.

The UN agency has also warned that constant lack of opium can motivate customers and sellers to view alternative medications that are potentially even more harmful than heroin, like fentanil or other synthetic opioids.