Almost 1,000kg of narcotics destroyed in southern Afghanistan

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

10.08.2010

Courtesy Story

ISAF Joint Command

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Force recovered and destroyed almost 1,000 kilograms of narcotics during two operations Thursday.

A combined-force vehicle interdiction mission in Maiwand District, Kandahar province, led to the discovery of 760 kilograms of wet opium, a courier vehicle and nine detainees.

The narcotics were found in a vehicle and a nearby narcotics laboratory. The narcotics, vehicle and laboratory were destroyed on site.

During a second operation in Achin district, Nangarhar province, the joint-force patrol surrounded the target compound, and during a subsequent search, discovered 125 kilograms of heroin, 70 kilograms of morphine, 20 kilograms of hashish, three grenades and associated chemicals used to manufacture narcotics.

The drugs and weapons were moved a safe distance from the compound and destroyed.

"The seizure and destruction of almost 1,000 kilograms of narcotics will have an immediate effect against the insurgency, since most of the money gained from the sale of these narcotics is normally used to buy weapons that are used against Afghan and coalition forces," said U.S. Army Col. Rafael Torres, International Assistance Force Joint Command Combined Joint Operations Center director.

"Afghan National Security and International Security Assistance Forces will continue to target narcotic networks to stop the funding of insurgent activities."

• Date Taken: 10.08.2010
• Date Posted: 10.08.2010 10:07
• Story ID: 57748
• Location: KABUL, AF