Section Content

Top: Illicit narcotics stored in the Helmand governor’s palace. DEA photo. Bottom: Destruction of illicit drugs seized in Joint Operation XI. DEA photo.
- FAST identified and dismantled 67 clandestine heroin labs and aided in the seizure of over 10.5 tons of opium, 536 kilos (1,181.68 lbs) of heroin, as well as 10 IEDs, 50 pressure plates designed to trigger IEDs, four anti-personnel mines, and various weapons, grenades, and ammunition.
- During Joint Operation XI 016, FAST worked together with Afghan law enforcement partners and the British SAS to seize and destroy illegal narcotics stockpiled by the governor of Helmand Province, Sher Mohammed Akhundzada. Following an air assault on the governor’s palace, large quantities of illicit drugs were discovered, in addition to weapons caches, and the team arrested Akhundzada.
- FAST and the KCO seized 51.3 metric tons of opium, 6.6 metric tons of heroin, 14.5 metric tons of chemicals, and 144.9 metric tons of hashish. Further, the team dismantled 279 clandestine labs and arrested or detained 144 individuals.