Understanding Illegal Methamphetamine Manufacture in Afghanistan

The analysis in this report examines the modalities of illegal methamphetamine manufacture in Afghanistan, highlighting risks to the region. The findings presented here contextualize illegal manufacture of methamphetamine with respect to quantify total methamphetamine production, different input materials. The analysis contained in this report does not seek to evaluate or assess the effectiveness of counternarcotics measures in the country, nor does it consider the effects of the April 2022 announcement of enforcement against the production, trafficking, and consumption of all illicit drugs in Afghanistan. The research shows that common cold medications and industrial-grade bulk precursors offer more efficient, reliable and virtually limitless means to support illegal manufacture compared with naturally occurring sources of ephedrine.