Stories from the Field

The FAST program, with the support of the KCO, conducted many successful operations in Afghanistan that directly supported U.S. and allied military forces and contributed to public safety. These operations took place in active war zones, where agents navigated dangerous terrain and hostile environments to gather and analyze intelligence, conduct raids, collect evidence, test drugs, charge suspects, and dismantle clandestine laboratories.

Each mission was meticulously planned and executed, contributing significantly to the overall success of the FAST program, the KCO, and DEA's mission.

2008

• During Operation Albatross, FAST made the largest hashish seizure ever recorded at the time—248.8 tons of hashish, valued at more than $721.5 million. This operation was a significant blow to the Afghan DTOs, disrupting a major production facility and preventing a large quantity of drugs from reaching the market. The team executed five search warrants on suspected hashish production facilities, leading to the discovery of five hidden trenches in the desert containing the hashish. The enormous amounts of seized drugs required the use of two 1,000 lb. bombs in their destruction.

• The work of FAST and the KCO led to the extradition of Haji Bagcho, one of the most prolific heroin traffickers in the world at the time. Bagcho trafficked heroin to more than 20 countries, including the United States, and used the proceeds to support high-level members of the Taliban. Ledgers belonging to Bagcho revealed how prolific his drug trafficking organization was. One ledger from 2006 reflected heroin transactions of more than 123,000 kilos (271,168.582 lbs.), estimated to be worth more than $250 million. Based on heroin production statistics compiled by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime for 2006, Bagcho trafficked approximately 20 percent of the world’s total drug production that year. Bagcho was arrested and extradited to the U.S., where he was sentenced to life in prison and fined over $254,000,000.00.
• Khan Mohammed, a member of an Afghan Taliban cell, was convicted on charges of narcotics distribution and narcoterrorism. He had been part of a Taliban plot to obtain rockets to attack U.S. military personnel and civilians at Jalalabad airfield in Afghanistan. Evidence presented at his trial implicated him in previous rocket attacks against other targets.

2009

• U.S. Army General David McKiernan, commander of all NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, accompanied FAST and KCO agents while executing a search warrant near Jalalabad in which they seized 900 kilos (1,984.16 lbs.) of morphine.
• FAST Bravo seized 200 kilos (440.925 lbs.) of opium, 35,000 kilos (771.792 lbs.) of poppy seeds, an IED production facility, and a primed suicide bomber vest.
• FAST seized a significant number of materials, including 44 blocks of Iranian C-4 plastic explosives, 3,000 rounds of ammunition, 1,000 electrical blasting caps, 18,164 kilos (40,044.765 lbs.) of opium, 200 kilos of heroin (440.925 lbs.), 1,000 kilos (2,204.62 lbs.) of hashish, 72,727 kilos (160,335.59 lbs.) of poppy seeds, and precursor chemicals for illicit drug manufacturing. These seizures significantly disrupted the enemy's ability to produce and traffic drugs, thereby weakening their financial resources and operational capabilities.

2010

• A multinational operation, including DEA, Afghan, and Russian narcotics agents, led to significant success. The operation resulted in the seizure of $55.9 million worth of heroin from four clandestine laboratories in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. The operation also seized 932 kilos (2,054.71 lbs.) of heroin, 156 kilos of opium (343.921 lbs.), precursor chemicals, and other illicit drug manufacturing materials. These successful outcomes are a testament to the effectiveness of the joint efforts in the fight against narcoterrorist insurgencies.
• FAST, U.S., and NATO forces launched Operation Moshtarak against the Taliban stronghold of Marjah in Helmand Province. Drug trafficking networks had a firm grip on the region, making DEA's partnership with the DOD vital in this undertaking.
  In Operation Monte, FAST agents accompanied U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forces on a cordon and search operation in Helmand Province, resulting in the seizure of 200 bags of opium residue, and the destruction of an IED manufacturing facility. During the mission, two U.S. troops were badly wounded by an IED explosion, for whom FAST agents provided emergency medical care.
• A task force consisting of FAST, NIU, U.S. Army Special Forces, and the Afghan Army was conducting counter-narcotics missions as part of the larger military Operation Moshtarak, in Marjah, Helmand, a targeted Taliban stronghold identified as being used for narcotics growing, processing, and storage. Departing their secured locations, the task force came under heavy enemy fire, which continued throughout the day. A FAST group supervisor climbed onto a roof to establish an observation post and was shot shortly after in the chest; luckily, his ballistic vest protected him from the shot. He maneuvered to another rooftop but was struck again by a bullet that traveled through his right hand before entering his right leg. A FAST agent and a U.S. Special Forces soldier provided emergency medical treatment under fire, as other FAST agents responded and assisted. Despite sustaining severe injuries, the FAST agent demonstrated remarkable resilience and continued to provide his guidance and leadership to the program as the FAST section chief for several years, a testament to the unwavering commitment of DEA personnel.

2011

• FAST partnered with Australian Special Forces to dismantle Afghan bazaars utilized to trade opium for weapons and explosives. One mission led to the seizure of 300 kilos (661.387 lbs.) of opium and 70 anti-personnel mines.
• FAST participated in 94 counternarcotics operations in 30 days as part of an intense campaign called Operation Khafa Khardan. Accompanying them in the field were Afghan law enforcement partners and U.S. Special Forces units. These anti-drug operations led FAST agents into highly volatile and dangerous areas deemed insurgent safe havens by the military.
• Operation Ghairet took place in the far north of Helmand Province in a highly hazardous area dominated by narcotraffickers. During this operation, FAST agents, accompanied by Afghan law enforcement partners and Australian Special Forces, were ambushed by insurgents while investigating a bazaar. For four hours, FAST agents continued to carry out their counternarcotics mission under fire. The terrorists fought fiercely and succeeded in killing an Australian soldier. FAST agents succeeded in accomplishing their counternarcotics mission and extracted their Afghan law enforcement partners from the area safely. Australian Special Forces later commended the FAST agents for their tenacity and bravery in action.
• A team consisting of FAST agents, Australian Special Forces, and Afghan NIU was searching a bazaar in an area notorious for drug trafficking before coming under enemy fire in an attempted ambush. The team, committed to their mission, persevered under fire. The situation intensified as the team moved to the extraction area, with Taliban insurgents targeting the incoming helicopters. As one of the MI-17 helicopters landed, a FAST agent led his team to the aircraft and provided covering gunfire so they could safely board. As he turned to follow, an enemy bullet struck him, hitting him in the left thigh. Task force personnel were able to pull the agent onto the helicopter and treat his wounds. The agent remained in Afghanistan to lead his team and continued to conduct operations following his recovery.

On October 31, 2011, FAST SA Joseph Piersante was part of a task force assigned to execute Afghan drug warrants, conduct searches, and dismantle heroin labs. While searching a targeted area, the team began to receive enemy fire. As the mission was nearing completion, the FAST agents and military elements maneuvered to the extraction location. Enemy fire increased as the helicopters arrived to retrieve the men. While attempting to board an M1-17 helicopter, Piersante provided suppressive fire so his team could safely board their helicopter. Before he was able to board, he suffered a direct shot to the head. The bullet penetrated his ballistic helmet, entering above his right eye and exiting above his left. He fell unconscious to the ground at the rear of the helicopter.

The team pulled him into the back of the helicopter, rendered first aid, and kept him stable while they flew to a field hospital, where a surgeon removed part of his skull to control the bleeding and relieve the pressure in his brain. An ophthalmologist operated, attempting to save his eyesight, but unfortunately, those efforts were unsuccessful.
SA Piersante was left permanently blind but recovered and never lost his fighting spirit.

He retired from DEA in 2019.

2012

• Resolutely standing their ground, FAST agents endured 19 hours of relentless sniper fire to obliterate 100 kilos (220.462 lbs.) of opium, 1,300 kilos (2,866.009 lbs.) of poppy seeds, precursor chemicals, and heroin processing equipment.
• FAST agents successfully located a Taliban prison housing 11 male Afghan civilians, including one man facing execution. The team executed a rescue operation, ensuring the safety of the prisoners and their transfer to a secure location.
• FAST Bravo conducted a counter-narcotics operation in the village of Qarabagh, along with Afghan NIU officers and Australian Special Forces. Insurgents directed heavy fire at them, wounding an Afghan NIU officer in the leg. FAST agents provided cover while other FAST agents gave the wounded Afghan officer emergency medical care. FAST agents also carried the wounded officer through the gunfire to deliver him safely to a medevac aircraft. The operation resulted in the seizure of 17 RPG warheads, an 82mm mortar tube with rounds, 14 mortar fuses, seven anti-personnel mines, 200 kilos (440.925 lbs.) of IED explosives, eight AK-47 rifles, 900 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and 5,600 rounds of PK machine gun ammunition, in addition to other weapons and explosives.