Cocaine Trafficking Is On The Peak Worldwide, Specially Afghanistan

According to a United Nations report, the global demand and supply of cocaine are on the rise, while the trafficking of methamphetamine is expanding into new markets, including Afghanistan.

The report, titled the World Drug Report, states that coca bush cultivation and cocaine production reached record highs in 2021. The number of cocaine users globally, estimated at 22 million in the same year, is steadily increasing.

Although cocaine seizures have outpaced production, limiting the overall supply to some extent, the report highlights a prolonged surge in both supply and demand.

It suggests that the growth of the global cocaine market is not limited to traditional regions like the Americas and Western and Central Europe but is also expanding into developing markets in Africa, Asia, and Southeastern Europe.

Regarding methamphetamine, while the majority of seizures occur in East and Southeast Asia and North America, trafficking has been increasing in other regions such as the Middle East and West Africa.

The report also points out that Afghanistan, known for producing 80% of the world’s illicit opium poppy used in heroin production, is resulting in high profits in its drug economy.

There are indications of methamphetamine production in the country, raising questions about the relationship between the illegal manufacture of heroin and methamphetamine in Afghanistan and whether these markets will develop in parallel or substitute each other.

Israeli authorities have arrested 3 United Nations workers at the Jordan River Customs House for attempting to smuggle liquid cocaine into the country disguised as perfume-making kits.

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The liquid form of cocaine is challenging to detect as it masks the drug’s odor. Routine inspections raised suspicion about the kits, leading to a thorough examination that included a dog-sniffing test.

The UN employees were immediately arrested by the Israeli officers and handed over to the police for further investigation. Coincidentally, the arrest happened just after the UN report was published.