22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Luke Rollins

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RAMROD, Afghanistan – Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, confiscated more than a half-ton of black tar heroin during an early morning patrol Oct. 12 in the Maywand District of the Kandahar province.

The heroin had an estimated street value of more than $30 million, said Sgt. 1st Class Darrell Rowe, a rifle platoon sergeant.

The loss of potential money from that heroin has the second and third level effects of preventing [improvised explosive devices] and weapons from entering the province, said Rowe, a Bremerton, Wash., native.

The unit found the heroin in an abandoned compound three kilometers south of Kali Zar, after following a suspicious vehicle during an observation point establishment mission. The vehicle's two occupants escaped, but the Soldiers recovered an enemy assault rifle in addition to the opiate payload.

"It's a big victory for Task Force 2-1 in general," said Capt. Jake Saunders, the rifle platoon leader.

It makes the Soldiers proud to do their jobs when they accomplish something like this, said Saunders, a native of Corvallis, Ore.

Rowe agreed.

"All the credit goes to the men," he said.

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