Afghan Prez gives nod for joint US-Russian raids: official

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has given his nod for joint US-Russian raids by the drug control officials of the two countries in the war-torn country, a top Russian official said Monday.

Moscow: Afghan President Hamid Karzai has given his nod for joint US-Russian raids by the drug control officials of the two countries in the war-torn country, a top Russian official said Monday.

"The issues on the operation to destroy four drug laboratories held last Thursday were discussed (with Karzai), and we reached a mutual understanding," Chief of the Russia`s Federal Drug Service Viktor Ivanov was quoted as saying by RIA Novosti.

Russian and US drug control agencies had on October 28 carried out a joint anti-narcotics operation in Afghanistan, destroying 4 drug labs and 900 kilograms of heroin worth more than USD 250 million.

Karzai had raised objection to the Russian troop involvement in the operation carried out just five kilometres from Pakistani border near Jalalabad and said it violated the sovereignty of Afghanistan.

Ivanov underscored that Afghan drug police were also involved in the raid.

He said the documents on continuing similar operations had been signed with US officials in Washington and an agreement has now been reached with Karzai.

An estimated 90 percent of heroin consumed in Russia is trafficked from Afghanistan via Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

PTI

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