Islamic State Group Now Controls Key Drug Trafficking Routes | News | teleSUR English:
According to some estimates, the group could be making US$1 billion per year from drug trafficking.
Russian United Nations Envoy Vitaly Churking warned Thursday that Moscow received information on the Islamic State group confirming the group now controls an important narcotics supply route from Afghanistan.
“There is information that a group of militants from ISIS (Islamic State group) already control a part of the routes of illegal drug supply from the Badakhshan Province (in northeastern Afghanistan),” said Churkin during a United Nations Security Council session.
The official also called upon the U.N. body to closely monitor the situation of drugs in Afghanistan, given that it is one of the main routes of drug trafficking into Europe.
The Badakhshan Province is especially strategic since it extends into Afghanistan's neighbors Pakistan, Tajikistan and the Xinjiang Province in China, which could also become a militant corridor for Islamic State group.
Analysts have pointed out that the terrorist organization also runs drug trafficking operations in Libya, where the lawlessness generated by the civil war has provided a safe haven for militants.
