Forces Detain Suspected Insurgents, Confiscate Drugs in Helmand
ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan 2010-11-CA-180 For Immediate Release Download PDF   KABUL, Afghanistan (Nov. 14, 2010) – Afghan and coalition forces detained several suspected insurgents and confiscated an illegal drug cache during a joint security operation in the Now Zad district of Helmand Saturday.  Security forces also shot and killed an armed insurgent when he showed hostile intent toward the security force.  The joint security team, after quelling the threat, proceeded with their actions to secure the area. Afghan forces used a loudspeaker to call for all occupants to exit the buildings peacefully before the joint team conducted the search of the targeted compounds. The security forces discovered 25 pounds of black tar heroin and 200 pounds of marijuana, in addition to multiple automatic weapons at the scene.  The Afghan and coalition forces detained the individuals based on initial questioning at the scene as well as their possession of illegal drugs and weapons.  Black tar heroin is an illegal drug derived from opium, a milky residue from the poppy plant. Afghanistan’s crop makes up 90 percent of the world’s opium, supplying the heroin trade and funding the insurgency, according to the United Nations in 2009.  No women or children were injured or detained during the operation.