Number: RS21041
Title: Taliban and the Drug Trade
Authors: Raphael F. Perl, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: In the case of Afghanistan, reports indicating that the drug trade is a major source of income for the Taliban have received growing attention. According to some reports, the regime uses poppy-derived income to arm, train, and support fundamentalist groups including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) and the Chechen resistance. There have also been allegations of Osama bin Laden's personal involvement in drug trafficking to finance al Qaeda's activities.
Pages: 5
Date: Updated October 5, 2001