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KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan-international security force discovered approximately 1.9 tons of processed heroin, 1,800 pounds of raw opium, and 200 pounds of ammonium nitrate during a security operation in Now Zad district, Helmand province July 17.
According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the drugs have a U.S. street value of more than $38 million before taking into account the common practice of cutting it with other ingredients which would exponentially increase the value. The ammonium nitrate could be used to produce approximately 25 improvised explosive devices.
The combined security force was pursuing a senior Taliban commander for northern Helmand province who is also involved in the purchase and distribution of IED-making material when they discovered the drugs and illegal fertilizer in an area east of Urmuz in Now Zad District.
Helmand province has seen heavy fighting between coalition forces and the Taliban, who are deeply entrenched in the villages of the poppy-producing region. The Taliban are known to use the proceeds from the sale of drugs to pay for weapons, IED components, explosives and foreign fighters who are being brought into Kandahar and Helmand provinces by the Taliban.
The security force detained two suspected insurgents who were transporting the drugs and explosive material, which was destroyed at the scene. No shots were fired.
"Drugs, weapons, bombs, foreign fighters and violence-this is what the Taliban offers the people of Afghanistan," said Col. Rafael Torres, ISAF Joint Command's Combined Joint Operations Center director.
"Afghan and international forces will continue to interdict the drugs used to fund insurgent activity and give the people of Helmand the opportunity that security and stability will bring," added Torres.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.17.2010 13:18 |
| Story ID: | 52977 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 310 |
| Downloads: | 296 |
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