Herat is one of Afghanistan’s major cities, with a rapidly growing population. Millions live here, engaged in various professions. However, as in all major cities worldwide, wherever there are people, there are also those involved in illicit activities to make money, and this city is no exception.
Recently, however, a three-person group was arrested in Herat for carrying out theft and robbing people’s property in a distinct way. The group consists of three members: two young men, approximately 23 and 25 years old, and their leader, a man around 45 years old.
In the following sections, you will read part of the leader’s statements and then witness accounts from individuals who fell victim to this scheme. Perhaps due to security concerns, the leader did not disclose his real name, so we will use the pseudonym “Jabar” for clarity.
Jabar, speaking with local media on September 15 of this year, stated that he is originally from Balkh province, Afghanistan, and had arrived in Herat from Iran about 20 days prior. He mentioned that during his initial days in Herat, he slept inside the city’s Grand Mosque and later began seeking work at local labor gathering spots, known as “Guzar.” It was there that the idea for this new method of theft came to him.
The materials Jabar used to sedate his victims included beverage and juice bottles. He employed syringes or siphons to inject substances into these bottles. He claims to have a nervous condition and liquefied his own prescription nerve pills to add to the bottles—injecting the equivalent of four pills per bottle using a syringe.
Jabar says he met and partnered with two other individuals: one who claimed to be from Kabul and the other from the Karokh district of Herat. “We were looking to steal people’s belongings. Some victims were young, and some were elderly,” he stated.
According to Jabar, his final attempt occurred in the Darwaza-e Ghandahar area (related to District 10) of Herat, where he was apprehended by security forces along with two accomplices after sedating a victim. In his confession, Jabar expressed remorse for his actions, vowed not to repeat them, and stated he is prepared to face the consequences. He also mentioned concern for his elderly mother.
Accounts from Victims Affected by This Type of Theft
In the next part of the story, you will hear from three individuals affected by this incident. These include a young man around 19 years old and two elderly men.
Mohammad Ghaus, son of Ghulam Rasool, is from the village of “Kul Khurma” in Guzara District, Herat. He is a farmer who owns land and cattle. Mohammad Ghaus says:
“One day, I was working on my farm and drinking tea when two of these thieves approached me. One was an older man (Jabar), and the other introduced himself as Jabar’s nephew.”
Mohammad Ghaus said that after some conversation, Jabar asked him about his land and cows—whether he had any land for sale. Mohammad replied, “Yes, I have land to sell.” Jabar then asked, “How many cows do you have?” He answered, “I have five or six cows.”
Continuing his account of the incident, Mohammad Ghaus, in recounting the incident, mentioned that Jabar was holding two bottles of a beverage known locally as “Ab-e-AM” (mango juice). He said Jabar opened one of them and drank it himself, then offered the other to him. “I didn’t think there was anything wrong with the drink since Jabar had drunk one himself.”
Mohammad Ghaus said:
“I drank the energy drink. After five minutes, I felt dizzy and collapsed in the field. Later, the thieves loaded my cows into a vehicle and took them away.”
He added:
“Every day, my son brings me lunch. Today, when he brought the food, he found me lying unconscious on the ground. He started shouting, ‘My father has died! Help!’”
Later, his older sons arrived and took him to the hospital. “I was unconscious for 12 hours. When I woke up, I was on a hospital bed. I asked the doctor where I was, and they explained what had happened. The doctor said if I had been brought to the hospital 30 minutes later, I could have had a heart attack and might not have survived.”
The next account is from a 19-year-old young man who spoke briefly. He said the thieves had been in contact with him for three days. “They told me they weren’t from Herat and wanted to see the city’s sights.”
The young man, named Hafizullah, drives a three-wheeled rickshaw. He said:
“Over those three days, I drove them everywhere, and they paid me.”
Hafizullah said that on the third day, they asked him to take them to Bagh-e-Millet (one of Herat’s recreational parks).
“I drove them to Bagh-e-Millet, and there they brought out an energy drink and gave one to me. I drank it, and five minutes later, I passed out. While I was unconscious, they stole my rickshaw, my phone, and 550 Afghanis in cash.”
Hafizullah added that he is relieved his rickshaw was recovered, and he urged people not to trust strangers or accept drinks from anyone.
The third victim is an elderly, bearded man who is also a community elder. He said:
“I met these men at a hotel. They were staying there overnight. They told me they had rings to sell. We agreed to meet the next morning in the Jibrael area so I could look at the rings and possibly buy them.”
He continued:
“They arrived for the meeting. They were carrying energy drinks, and during our negotiations, one of them offered me a drink. I drank it and lost consciousness. I have no memory of what happened after that.”
He added:
“A friend found me and took me to the hospital. I was unconscious for two days. When I finally woke up, the doctor told me that if I had been brought in half an hour later, I might have died.”
He explained:
“I had a box containing 25 rings, four prayer beads, and 1,500 Afghanis in cash. Now that the thieves have been arrested, only two of my rings have been recovered. My prayer beads are still missing.”
Shah Wali Rahmat is the Head of Criminal Crimes at the Herat Provincial Police Command. Regarding this case, he states:
“We have arrested three individuals who were incapacitating people and stealing their property using a new method. They would mix sedatives into beverages and then rob the victims.” He adds: “This method of theft has no precedent in Herat, and this is the first time we have apprehended individuals involved in such a scheme.” The Head of Criminal Crimes further explained:
“Hospitals and medical tests have confirmed that these individuals were administering sedatives to people.” He also mentioned:“The suspects have confessed to their crimes, and 20 people have filed complaints in connection with this case.” According to the official, the individuals have been referred to judicial and legal entities for further investigation.
He advises the public:“People should not accept or consume anything from individuals they do not know.” He emphasized that if such groups are active in the city, they will be identified and arrested.
