Australian troops help to destroy poppy seeds in Afghanistan

Australian troops help to destroy poppy seeds in Afghanistan
Australian soldiers have taken part in a joint mission to destroy almost two tonnes of poppy seeds, which is used to produce heroin in Afghanistan, the Australian Defense Force said Wednesday.

In setback to the insurgency-linked drug trade, the Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG), the Afghan National Interdiction Unit and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA) raided a drug production facility in Baghran region of Afghan southern province of Helmand.

Lieutenant Colonel G, the Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Task Group, who cannot be named for security reasons, said 1,785 kilograms of poppy seeds are found and destroyed on location on last Friday. It is believed that they were being cached in preparation for the 2012 growing seasons.

"While this dollar amount is not significant, if the poppy seeds were cultivated, processed into heroin, and sold in the United States, the DEA assess the find would potentially be worth more than 717 million U.S. dollars," he said in a statement.

"A number of insurgents were killed during the mission. However no ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces), SOTG or DEA personnel were killed or wounded," he said. "Destroying the poppy seed and removing insurgents from the area will affect the insurgency's ability to operate effectively during the winter months."

He said high grade seeds were crucial to sustaining poppy production and were generally highly protected by insurgents in Afghanistan.

Special Report: Afghanistan Situation

English.news.cn   2011-12-07 21:54:15              
CANBERRA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua)