Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA)

The Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) is fighting an uphill battle against the drug traffickers, poppy growers, and corrupt Afghan police, Army, and government officials. Afghanistan supplies about 90% of the opium consumed worldwide - mostly in Europe and the Central Asian states. The corruption associated with drug trafficking permeates all levels of society. The various insurgent groups receive financial support from the protection schemes and taxes that are found in the drug trade.

The CNPA comes under the direction of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and is the lead agency for counter narcotics investigations in Afghanistan. There are about 3,000 officers in the CNPA. The organization was established in 2003 (some sources say 2004) as part of the Afghan National Police under the Ministry of Interior. It has national and regional units that conduct intelligence, investigative, eradication, and interdiction operations.

Selection. Personnel of the CNPA are selected from the Afghan National Police (ANP) and must have completed the basic police course.

Training. The candidates for the CNPA should have completed the basic police course and the Counter Narcotics Police Course.

Provincial Units. The CNPA has a national presence in the capital (Kabul) as well as some regional training and operations centers. The provincial units have been neglected (funding, resources and training) and problems continue with their development and capabilities.

Organizational Chart from SIGAR Audit Report Oct 2014

Websites about CNPA

Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan by WikipediA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter_Narcotics_Police_of_Afghanistan

CNPA Facebook
www.facebook.com/CounterNarcoticsPoliceOfAfghanistanCnpa/photos

Publications & Reports about CNPA

SIGAR. Counternarcotics Police of Afghanistan: US Assistance to Provincial Units Cannot be Fully Tracked and Formal Capability Assessments are Needed, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, SIGAR 15-12 Audit Report, October 2014.
www.sigar.mil/pdf/audits/SIGAR-Audit-15-12.pdf

Brownfield, William. U.S. Counternarcotics Operations in Afghanistan. Testimony by Assistant Secretary William Brownfield, DoS.
www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/rm/2014/221295.htm

Jordan, Colonel Louis H., Counternarcotics Operations in Afghanistan: The COIN of the Realm, Strategic Studies Institute (SSI), April 1, 2010.
www.strategicstudiesinstitute.army.mil/pdffiles/of-interest-17.pdf

News Reports about CNPA

October 2014. "The Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA) destroys over 20 tonnes of seized contraband", United Natioins Office on Drugs and Crime.