FARAH City - Despite their claims regarding a significant reduction in bribery, police in western Farah province extort more than one million afghanis from truck drivers on a daily basis.
Well-placed source say the extortion of money from truck drivers continues unabated. On the other hand, police claim a 60pc reduction in bribery and illegal; gratification.
Lying cheek by jowl with the Iranian border in Farah, the Abu Nasar Farahi Dry Port is a major business hub. Trade goods and services arrive at this port, from where are trucked to other provinces of the country.
Over the last few years, truckers have been complaining of being extorted by police. Businessmen, by the same token, hit out at the bad behavior of security personnel. They insist local officials are not serious about improving the situation.
Juma Gul, one of the truckers who were on way to the Abu Nasar Farahi Port from Bala Baluk district, also came hard on what he called the “immoral behaviour” of police.
He deplored the drivers, if they declined meeting illegal police demands, were insulted, tortured, kicked and thrashed with fists.
He estimated there were more than 10 police check-posts on the road. At every check-post, the driver charged, each trucker was coerced into paying 500 to 2,000 afs. 
Abdul Wazir, representative of truckers, during chat with Pajhwok Afghan News, said he transferred 40 loaded trucks from Abdu Nasar Port to Farah City and police took 6,500 afs illegally from every vehicle on it rout. (Pajhwok)