NEW YORK - The Taliban’s involvement in criminal activity, including narcotics trafficking, illicit mining, collusion with mafias and kidnapping for ransom, appears to be increasing, a new UN Security Council Committee report indicates.

The report indicates the scale and depth of this criminal activity is new, and builds on decades of interaction between the Taliban and others involved in criminal behaviour. At times, the Taliban has attempted to generate resources directly by acting as a criminal body, the report details.

The report also indicates this trend has consequences for peace and security in Afghanistan, as it encourages those within the Taliban movement who have the greatest economic incentives to oppose any meaningful process of reconciliation with the new Government.

The report, prepared by a Security Council Committee, examines specific cases of cooperation between organized crime syndicates, notably groups involved in kidnapping for ransom, in the production of and trade in narcotics, and in the illegal exploitation of natural resources in Afghanistan.

The Security Council Committee that developed the report was established in 2011 to oversee sanctions measures and to undertake the tasks set out by the Security Council in resolution 1988 (2011).

The current Chair of the Committee, for the period ending 31 December 2015, is Mr. Jim McLay of New Zealand. The two Vice-Chairs for 2015 are Chile and the Russian Federation. The Committee is supported by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, whose reports can be found here.