NATO commander: Afghanistan drug raids imminent

[babylonsister]

I don't see this turning out well...

NATO commander: Afghanistan drug raids imminent

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
Associated Press Writer


MUNICH (AP) -- In an effort to strike at a key income source for Taliban militants, the top NATO commander said Sunday that operations to attack drug lords and labs in Afghanistan will begin within the "next several days."

Gen. John Craddock, who also heads the U.S. European Command, also said that the U.S. and its allies are making progress in their efforts to fill the need for more troops, equipment and intelligence gathering in Afghanistan. He, however, would not disclose any specific commitments he got this weekend as world leaders met at a security conference here.

NATO defense ministers, during a meeting last fall in Hungary, authorized troops in Afghanistan to launch the drug attacks, but there had been questions about whether allies would be willing to follow through. Money from Afghanistan's booming illicit drug trade has been blamed for pumping up to $100 million a year into the coffers of resurgent Taliban fighters.

"Activities and actions will occur soon that will be helpful," Craddock told reporters. "We've got to get started."

more...

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NATO_AFGHANISTAN?SITE=DCSAS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[lurky]

1. Announcing drug raids ahead of time?

Kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it?

"Hey drug lords, hide your stash!"

[sarge43]

2. Ah General, clue phone. As long as there is a demand, there

will be a supply, especially when there is billions to be made. That 100M comes out of petty cash.

Knock out some labs? Take out some drug lords? Both will be replaced before you can say 'mission accomplished". You may want to read up on Prohibition.