ZABUL, Afghanistan- Afghan National Police seized 76 kilograms of heroin Thursday at a checkpoint on Highway 1 in Zabul province.
The heroin was discovered when the narcotics section of the Zabul ANP stopped an overloaded bus at a checkpoint. The inspection uncovered four burlap sacks containing bundles of books. Further inspection revealed the books had been hollowed out and were being used to disguise the heroin. Copies of the Quran were placed on top of the bundles in what is believed to be an effort to deter inspection.
"This is a great example of police work and counter narcotics operations. The Narcotics section is highly experienced in disrupting drug trafficking as well as drug seizure. This week the ANP seized over 740Kgs of Heroin," stated Capt. Michael Tumlin, ISAF partner for the Zabul Provincial Chief of Police.
"These drugs are paying for the Taliban to emplace IEDs in the area that have killed or wounded over 41 civilians over the last 60 days." said Lt. Col. David Oclander, commander of 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, which is partnered with Afghan National Security Forces throughout Zabul province.
"This is becoming a real problem for the Taliban to answer to. There just isn't any justification to these kinds of actions that are causing so many Afghan casualties," said Oclander.
"The actions of these criminals violates the most holy principles of Islam," said Col. Ghulam Jalani Khan, acting Zabul ANP chief of police. "To defile the Holy Quran by hiding illegal drugs in them shows that the selling and use of drugs is destroying our society and Islam. These criminals are not true Muslims."
| Date Taken: | 05.31.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.31.2010 00:02 |
| Story ID: | 50556 |
| Location: | ZABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 444 |
| Downloads: | 378 |
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