Former Afghan parliamentarian extradited to USA on drug and arms trafficking charges

Abdul Zahir Qadeer, former vice-president of Afghanistan's national assembly, was extradited to the United States after being arrested in Nairobi in April 2025.

Former Afghan parliamentarian extradited to USA on drug and arms trafficking charges

Abdul Zahir Qadeer, who previously served as vice-president of Afghanistan's national assembly, has been transferred to the United States to face prosecution for allegedly running an extensive international narcotics and weapons smuggling operation.

The former official was taken into custody in Nairobi in April 2025, according to a statement from American authorities. Before the Taliban regained power in 2021, Qadeer held the position of deputy speaker of the Afghan legislature. He also served as a general in the country's border protection forces.

"While presenting himself as an Afghan political leader, Abdul Zahir Qadeer was running a criminal organization specialized in trafficking particularly dangerous and addictive drugs, as well as heavy weapons," stated acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Prosecutors allege that the accused negotiated the shipment of hundreds of kilograms of heroin and methamphetamine into the United States with an individual who was in fact a confidential informant cooperating with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Court documents further indicate that Qadeer discussed the sale of hundreds of heavy machine guns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, rocket launchers, and grenades.

If convicted of conspiracy to import controlled substances and firearms into the United States, the former parliamentarian faces a potential sentence of life imprisonment.

Source: La Libre.be

Source: Google News MA — Crime (fr)