Opiate flows through Northern Afghanistan and Central Asia: a threat assessment

This report describes the illicit trade of opiates along the Northern route from northern
Afghanistan to Central Asia up to the borders of the Russian Federation. It has been
organized in three sections.

The first section begins by addressing the dynamics of trafficking in northern Afghanistan, including the groups involved, the volumes of opiate flows and opiate consumption, as well as the share that southern Afghanistan production takes in Northern route trafficking.

A second section explores trafficking dynamics through Central Asia, including the methods involved and the groups managing the trade.

Lastly, the final section briefly analyzes the regional capacity to respond to the threat of Afghan opiates.

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