Quote:
Originally Posted by Americano
You're missing an important piece of the management chain. Afghanistan tribal and clan leadership derive the majority of profits from poppy production. Taliban received a 'tax' on those proceeds until a couple of years before the US invasion and were convinced to formally outlaw poppy production by the US DEA by more money than the taxes were earning right up to the invasion while poppy production continued. In spite of US propaganda, Afghanistan is absolutely controlled by tribal leaders, many of whom also serve in the puppet government.
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The tribal leaders still profit off the poppies today, but the drugs (as they always have) make their way into the world largely via Pakistan where the Taliban are now operating.
The Taliban still make money by enforcing "laws" in the lawless region of Pakistan. The drugs get trafficked right through the area that the Taliban control. The Traffickers work in concert with and fund the Taliban to a large extent.
Legalization would dramatically cut the amount of poppy that gets smuggled out through Pakistan. That can only be a good thing.