Is Heroin legal in Afghanistan?

Legal status

Controlled under the Law on Campaign Against Intoxicants, Drugs and their Control (with the 2005 Counter-Narcotics Law) — trafficking graduated by weight, heroin/morphine/cocaine capping at 20 years (Art. 42), largest quantities reaching life imprisonment; use roughly a short prison term (~3 months); the drug-trafficking ceiling is imprisonment; enforcement since 2021 under the de facto authorities is opaque and may diverge — verify against current practice

Consequences if caught

Heroin is controlled in Afghanistan under the Law on Campaign Against Intoxicants, Drugs and their Control (with the 2005 Counter-Narcotics Law). In Afghanistan, drugs fall under the Law on Campaign Against Intoxicants, Drugs and their Control (with the 2005 Counter-Narcotics Law). Trafficking penalties are graduated by weight: trafficking heroin, morphine or cocaine caps at 20 years (Art. 42), and the largest quantities reach life imprisonment — the named statute's drug-trafficking ceiling is imprisonment. Drug use carries roughly a short prison term (about 3 months). Enforcement since 2021 under the de facto authorities is opaque and may diverge from the statute on the books; any sanction beyond what the named statute provides is not confirmed here — verify against current practice.

If prescribed or medical

Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.

Documentation

In Afghanistan, drugs fall under the Law on Campaign Against Intoxicants, Drugs and their Control (with the 2005 Counter-Narcotics Law). Trafficking penalties are graduated by weight: trafficking heroin, morphine or cocaine caps at 20 years (Art. 42), and the largest quantities reach life imprisonment — the named statute's drug-trafficking ceiling is imprisonment. Drug use carries roughly a short prison term (about 3 months). Enforcement since 2021 under the de facto authorities is opaque and may diverge from the statute on the books; any sanction beyond what the named statute provides is not confirmed here — verify against current practice. Cannabis is controlled under the same framework; cultivation and trafficking are prohibited, with penalties graduated by weight up to imprisonment. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Afghanistan’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.