Forces in Afghanistan Continue to Battle Drug Trafficking
The United States Department of Defense has announced positive steps in the war against drugs in Afghanistan. The Department released news that Afghan and international forces have killed or captured numerous enemy fighters. At the same time, they have seized illegal stockpiles of drugs and weapons.
A combined security patrol found 300 pounds of marijuana seed, 15 pounds of poppy seeds, 10 pounds of hashish, 100 pounds of ammonium nitrate and a small container of an unknown white substance in Helmand province’s Nad-e Ali district.
A local civilian provided inside information on a combined insurgent fighters’ whereabouts in Helmand’s Musa Qalah district. When international forces combed the area, Afghan soldiers went inside the compound and found 264 pounds of opium, in addition to ammunition and firearms. Security forces in another part of the region also found 70 pounds of opium.
On May 14, an Afghan-international force killed several militants and captured several others as they searched for a Taliban leader. The search of a compound in a rural area occurred after intelligence information indicated insurgent activity. Afghan members of the assault force called for the insurgents to surrender, but a refusal resulted in the killing of several militants before others were detained.
A continued focus on intervening on Afghan insurgent activities is important as the country continues to be the world’s primary provider of opium-based drugs. The funds from the sale of such drugs are used in large part to fund the activities of the Taliban.
