Panjshir ANP Bust Drug Smuggling Operation

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Panjshir Afghan National Police arrested two men and confiscated 32 kilograms of raw opium paste in the largest drug seizure in provincial history in Khenj district, Panjshir province, Afghanistan, Feb. 2. 
   
Acting on a tip from local residents, provincial ANP intercepted the two suspects, one from Panjshir and one from Baglan, as they allegedly attempted to transport the narcotics to Kabul for processing into heroin valued between $200,000 and $300,000.

According to the Provincial Chief Investigator, the suspects entered Panjshir through the Khowak valley, packing the opium in on horses. The ANP tracked the men through an informant network as they moved south through the Paryan district to the village of Tele, where they exchanged the horse for a donkey and continued to the main valley road. Once on the main road, the men crossed into Khenj district where the ANP had set up to make the arrest between the village of Daste Riwat and the border of Khenj and Paryan.

Brig. Gen. Mullah Sabor, the Panjshir Provincial chief of police, commented that he was very proud of the work done by the Khenj District ANP, the Provincial counter-narcotics team, and Panjshir citizens for providing information to the police.

“The more we coordinate, the more we work together, the more we will catch the bad guys,” said Sabor. “We could not have made the arrest without the people taking responsibility for their own security.”

Sabor also stated that the community policing effort, combined with the Police Mentor Team training provided by the PRT, has greatly increased the public's perception of the ANP, and continues to increase the confidence of the people.   


U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Hommel, the Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, praised the ANP and the provincial counter-narcotics team for their ability to analyze intelligence, and develop and execute a plan while maintaining operational security. 

“Successfully conducting this type of operation with no Coalition force involvement lends credence to the fact that the Panjshir government can independently provide services and protection to its citizens,” said Hommel.  “The ANP in Panjshir have operational capability and only require further training to increase their knowledge.”

After finishing the initial investigation, where the men reportedly admitted that the drugs belonged to them, the Panjshir ANP transferred the suspects to Kabul for processing and trial. Due to the large quantity of opium seized, the suspects must stand trial in the national court system and could receive sentences in excess of 20 years in prison.