 NEWS RELEASEHEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND 7115 South Boundary Boulevard MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101 Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894 |
| April 23, 2005 Release Number: 05-04-17 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Afghan Security Forces Seize Heroin Shipment HERAT, Afghanistan - The Transitional Afghan Border Security Forces along with a small contingent of Coalition forces seized 479 kilograms of heroin along the northwestern border April 17. The bust also netted seven Afghans suspected of smuggling operations. The suspects are being held by Afghan forces. The border crossing is known as a hot spot for smuggling operations in the western region. It's estimated the Afghan government loses $300 million a year in taxable good through its borders. The Transitional Afghan Border Security Forces was assembled in Kabul two weeks ago and is made up of 229 border police volunteers from throughout the country. Its mission is to conduct operations at the Islam Qalah border checkpoint and 13 adjoining border points in order to secure the border, control illicit trade and interdict narco-trafficking. The primary goal is to set the conditions for corruption-free immigration, customs revenue control and collections. "This is counter-narcotics at its best. The entire operation was planned, led and executed by the Afghans," said U.S. Army Maj. Anthony W. Oliver, liaison officer for the mission. "All we supplied was coaching, mentoring and some logistics." The street value of the seized heroin is estimated at $2 million. -30- |
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