Provincial police spokesman Nizamuddin Omir said the suspects were arrested on Saturday night while allegedly transporting the narcotics, which had been concealed inside vehicles.

The case has been referred to the relevant authorities, while preliminary investigations into the suspects are underway.

Police Intensify Anti-Drug Operations

The latest arrests come amid intensified counter-narcotics operations across Afghanistan.

On July 16, Afghan police seized 241 kg of illicit drugs and arrested nine suspects during two separate operations in northeastern Badakhshan province. The narcotics were recovered from a vehicle and a residential house during raids in the Pul-e Begum and Tashkan areas.

In western Afghanistan’s Nimroz province, counter-narcotics police also reported seizing hundreds of kilograms of suspected drug-related materials during operations over the previous week. The seizures included 84 kg of opium, 130 kg of methamphetamine and more than 200 kg of other materials allegedly used in the manufacture of opium and heroin.

Seven people were also arrested in Nimroz on suspected drug-smuggling charges, according to officials.

Earlier Drug Seizures in Takhar

Takhar has also witnessed several anti-drug operations in recent weeks.

On July 4, police seized 60 kg of illicit drugs, including 52 kg of opium and 8 kg of hashish, and arrested two suspected smugglers. The drugs were allegedly concealed in hidden sections of a vehicle.

Earlier, on July 2, Afghan security personnel seized 215 kg of opium in eastern Ghazni province while reportedly preventing a major drug-trafficking operation.

The latest action is part of Afghanistan’s continuing efforts to curb drug trafficking and the movement of illicit narcotics across the country.