U.S. Marines, from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, patrols through a poppy field near the town of Garmser in Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Picture AP Source: The Australian
AFGHAN and Australian troops have seized and destroyed some four tonnes of poppy seed believed to have been hidden in preparation for next year's growing season.
In the operation conducted earlier this week in the Kajaki region of Helmand province, Afghan National Security Forces supported by the Australian Special Operations Task Group (SOTG) also seized 30kg of processed opium.
Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Ash Power said destroying this quantity of poppy seed would significantly impact the insurgent-aligned syndicate's ability to plant and harvest a crop in the 2012 growing season.
"This high-grade seed is crucial to sustaining production and is highly valued and protected," he said.
During the operation, the Afghan and Australian troops came under fire as they entered the targeted area with shooting continuing for the duration of the mission.
"The ferocity of the insurgent response to the mission is a clear indicator of just how important this cache was to their plans," Lieutenant General Power said.
No members of the Special Operations Task Group or the Afghan National Interdiction Unit were killed or wounded during the mission but several insurgents were killed during multiple engagements.
This mission follows successful operations in recent months against drug production facilities in Northern Helmand province.
The Afghan National Interdiction Unit, backed by the SOTG, specifically targets the Afghan narcotics trade and the threat it poses to the long term security, development and governance of Afghanistan.
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