Why where US agents flying in a Russian Airplane

[DoYouEverWonder]

looking for drugs in Afghanistan supposedly?

US anti-drugs team's plane hits Afghan homes, kills five

AFP Monday April 24, 06:19 PM

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) - Five people were killed and 10 injured when a plane leased to US anti-drugs agents crashed while landing and hit a nomad camp in southern Afghanistan.

Another five people were missing after the accident, which happened when the pilot pulled up to avoid a truck that drove on to the runway in Lashkargah, the capital of Helmand province, a coalition spokesman said on Monday.

The Russian-built Antonov 32 could not regain enough speed to stay airborne and smashed into the mud-brick homes and tents at the end of the landing strip, Canadian military spokesman Major Quentin Innis said.

Two of the 16 people on board the twin-engined transport plane died and eight others were medically evacuated by helicopter to the southern city of Kandahar, Innis said. He did not give their nationalities or identities.

Three Afghan civilians on the ground were killed and two were injured when the plane hit their houses and tents at the end of the runway, he added.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/24042006/323/anti-drugs-team-s-plane-hits-afghan-homes-kills-five.html

[radwriter0555]

1. Making sure the afghanistan poppy/heroin trade carries on unimpeded

and without interference.

From the taliban.

[Old and In the Way]

2. Is that one of the short take-off and landing aircraft (STOL)?

It might be the preferred aircraft for that type of work. Of course, do we really know that they were on anti-drug interdiction and not making a pick-up?

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. Since they were flying a Russian craft

I think making a pick up is more likely.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Here's a pic of it

At least it didn't blow up. I'd love to see the cargo hold.

[Tempest]

5. Russia was upset they were getting cut out of the opium profits

Blair was getting more than his fair share and Putin wanted in on the action.