The combined total in illicit narcotics seized since operations began three days ago stands at 92,271 kilograms, including 16,850 kilograms of black tar opium, 38 kilograms of processed morphine, 201 kilograms of processed heroin, 182 kilograms of hashish and 75,000 kilograms of poppy seeds.
Now that is a haul. Bravo to those who were involved with this one and way to stick it to them. The other part of this story that caught my eye was the multipurpose suicide/ammunition vests they captured. So let me get this straight, the booger eaters actually have manufacturers making dual purpose vests for the jihadist? That is funny.
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“If you buy our Jihad Tactical DP-AF Vest™ now, we will throw in a free pair of 5.11 socks . If your order is larger than 1000 Afghani’s, the shipping is free!” lol-Matt
Jihad Tactical DP-AF Vest™.
5.11 Socks.
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Afghan, Coalition forces seize single-largest drug cache to date, kill dozens of militants in Helmand
DATE POSTED: MAY 22, 2009
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Courtesy of CJSOTF-A Public Affairs, May 22, 2009) – Afghan National Army Commandos of the 205th Corps assisted by Coalition forces killed 47 militants and seized the single-largest drug cache by international forces in Afghanistan to date during ongoing operations in the city of Marjeh, Nad Ali district, Helmand province, in the past three days.
The Afghan and Coalition forces launched an operation to disrupt activities in the key militant stronghold and narcotics hub May 19.
Early this morning, the combined elements began taking small-arms and sniper fire from and around a compound where the majority of the attacks against friendly forces had originated. After ensuring there were no non-combatants in the area, the combined elements returned fire and requested close air support. Thirteen militants were killed in the air strike.
Despite the area being the nucleus of their operations in the south, the militants have been unable to orchestrate coordinated attacks to effectively defend their drugs and weaponry from the Commandos and their Coalition partners.
The combined total in illicit narcotics seized since operations began three days ago stands at 92,271 kilograms, including 16,850 kilograms of black tar opium, 38 kilograms of processed morphine, 201 kilograms of processed heroin, 182 kilograms of hashish and 75,000 kilograms of poppy seeds.
The combined forces also seized an unprecedented amount of heroin processing materials, to include 490 gallons of acidic anhydride, 240 kilograms ammonium chloride, 1,450 kilograms of activated charcoal and 17,600 kilograms of soda ash.
In addition to narcotics, the Afghan and Coalition forces found large amounts of bomb making materials in various buildings within the bazaar. The combined forces discovered 27,000 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, 700 gallons of diesel fuel, six pressure plate triggers, three improvised explosive device battery systems and seven 40 lb jugs of homemade explosive material prepared for detonation.
The combined elements continued to find weapons throughout the bazaar, confirming that Marjeh is a hub of multiple types of militant activity. They found 44 blocks of military-grade explosives and various types of mortars, blasting caps and detonation cord. The friendly forces also found 120 ammunition vests, which are used by militants to carry bullets and are also modified into suicide bomber vests.
All of the seized materials will be destroyed in order to prevent militants from profiting from the drug trade and to keep them from harming friendly forces and Afghan civilians through the employment of improvised explosive devices and suicide bombers.
“The actions of the Commandos and their Coalition partners will have a significant financial and logistical impact on the insurgency in southern Afghanistan. Our intent was not to seize and permanently hold the Loy Chareh Bazaar, but to throw a wrench into militant activities and severely impede their ability to wreak havoc upon the Afghan people … the Commandos have done a phenomenal job and far exceeded the expectation for this operation,” said a Coalition spokesman.
Story Here