An investigation by TOLOnews has found that some police force members appear to be charging “illegal taxes” on truck drivers along the Kabul-Kandahar-Herat Highway.

Video footage shows that in some instances police are accepting food and other goods instead of money.

One truck driver said that money was demanded at many check posts.

“When we drive from Farah, check posts charge us 5,000, 4,000, 2,000 and 1,000 Afs,” said driver, Rahimullah.

Another driver, Abdul Khaliq, said: “We are tired of this. They [police] speak badly to us and take money from us.”

“From Abkhurma to Tah Toot (in Farah) we are charged by police all along the way,” said Rahmatullah, a driver.

Meanwhile, a number of MPs criticized the MoI for not paying police their salaries on time, which they say has led to this new trend.

“Corruption starts in ARG (the Presidential Palace) with ministries, deputy ministries; therefore, police commit illegal actions. It is concerning, but it is the common masses who mostly bear the brunt of this problem,” said Obaidullah Barikzai, an MP from Uruzgan.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) acknowledged the problem and said they take legal action against those who violate the law in such instances.

“We will take serious action against those who have a hand in this issue. We hope that we receive more documents (evidence) in order to address the problem,” MoI deputy spokesman Najibullah Danish said.

Late last year, the transportation union protested against illegal charges being imposed by police on the country’s highways. At the time, Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah vowed to address the problem.

However, drivers said the illegal taxes are still being imposed on a number of highways.