Afghanistan International’s review of Taliban Interior Ministry statements suggests crime has risen sharply across major Afghan cities, with authorities reporting 1,878 arrests nationwide over the past month alone.
According to the ministry, those detained were accused of a wide range of offences, from petty crimes to organised criminal activity.
Armed robberies, theft of gold, mobile phones and cash, as well as the theft of cars, motorcycles and rickshaws, were among the most frequently reported offences.
In one case, the Taliban said it arrested 22 people on 12 May in connection with armed robberies in the provinces of Balkh, Jowzjan, Nimroz and Ghor.
The ministry has also reported numerous cases of livestock theft, including cattle and sheep, particularly in rural and remote areas where many families rely on animal husbandry for their livelihoods.
Authorities have further reported an increase in weapons smuggling and the illegal possession of firearms in Kunduz, Khost, Helmand and Paktia provinces. Taliban officials have also announced arrests linked to currency smuggling in border regions and along major transport routes.
Organised crime has also become increasingly prominent. Taliban authorities claim to have dismantled several armed criminal networks in recent weeks.
In one incident, the Interior Ministry said five people were arrested on 13 May in connection with the kidnapping of a businessman in Kabul. According to the ministry, the alleged leader of the kidnapping gang was killed during a clash with Taliban forces.
A significant proportion of the arrests reported over the past month were linked to the production, sale and trafficking of narcotics.
Taliban statements referred to cannabis trafficking, drug-processing facilities and the smuggling of synthetic drugs.
On 10 May, authorities said 18 people were arrested for allegedly operating a drug-processing factory in Ghor province.
In a separate case, a suspect was arrested in Nimroz province for allegedly smuggling a large quantity of a synthetic drug known locally as “Tablet K”.
Several cases involving gambling and individuals accused of running away from home have also been referred to Taliban judicial authorities.
Most recently, the Taliban announced the arrest of 21 people on gambling-related charges, although the Interior Ministry did not specify the nature of the alleged activities.
The Taliban has previously banned a range of leisure activities and games, including card games.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has portrayed itself as a guarantor of security through strict enforcement, harsh punishments and public penalties.
However, the scale of criminal cases and the high number of arrests suggest that significant security challenges persist across Afghan society.
One Kabul resident told Afghanistan International: “In the early months everyone was afraid, but now criminals have largely lost their fear of the Taliban. Thefts happen in broad daylight and it seems the Taliban has lost control in some areas.”
As crime has increased, the Taliban has once again resorted to severe and often violent punishments.
The situation in Herat has been described as particularly concerning. According to official figures, nearly 900 people were arrested on theft-related charges in the province during the past six months alone.
In response, Taliban forces recently shot dead two men accused of theft in public in Herat city. Images showing their bloodied bodies displayed on the back of a police vehicle circulated on social media, prompting widespread criticism and concern.
Analysts argue that rising crime in Afghanistan is being driven not only by security challenges but also by the country’s worsening economic crisis, widespread poverty and growing unemployment.
Some observers have also alleged that individual Taliban members may be involved in certain criminal incidents.
They argue that measures such as night patrols, checkpoints and even harsh punishments are unlikely to have a lasting impact unless the underlying economic causes of crime are addressed.
Provincial data indicate that the highest numbers of arrests and reported crimes were recorded in Herat, Kabul and Balkh provinces, which observers view as a sign of mounting economic and social pressures in Afghanistan’s major urban centres.
Meanwhile, according to the latest United Nations estimates, around 28 million people in Afghanistan are living in severe poverty and require international assistance.
