2012-05-S-028

For Immediate Release


KABUL, Afghanistan (May 16)
Finally, a combined Afghan and coalition security force conducted a mission to close suspected narcotics labs in Baghran district, Helmand province, Monday. While executing Afghan search warrants on multiple compounds the force was engaged by multiple insurgents. The force returned fire, killing the insurgent attackers. A subsequent search of the compounds recovered improvised explosive device components, weapons and narcotics production equipment including more than 11,000 pounds (5,000 kilograms) of morphine waste, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of ammonium chloride, 880 pounds (400 kilograms) of morphine base and 1,057 gallons (4,000 liters) of liquid morphine. All of the materials were destroyed on-site without incident.