U.S.-Russia joint operation in Afghanistan seizes $250 million worth of drugs

U.S.-Russia joint operation in Afghanistan seizes $250 million worth of drugs

2010-10-29 20:02:40 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- U.S. and Russia conducted their first ever joint operation in Afghanistan, successfully seizing over a ton of heroin and opium on Thursday, Russia's drug control service said Friday.

On Thursday morning, at around 6:30 a.m. local time, the operation began in which four drug laboratories were raided and destroyed within four hours, Russia's Federal Anti-Narcotics Committee chief, Viktor Ivanov, along with the Deputy Head of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Russia Eric Rubin, said during a press conference.

According to reports, 932 kilograms (2,054 pounds) of heroin and 156 kilograms (344 pounds) of opium were seized, which were valued at $250 million. Around 70 personnel with the DEA, the Department of Defense, NATO, the Afghanistan Ministry of Interior and the Russian drug control agency, participated in the operation.

"This investigation is a very concrete example of real cooperation," Rubin said. "We cannot succeed alone. This was the first step and we will continue to destroy labs."

The operation was involved a three-month-long action plan.

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