Collo
The Lord Protector and Governor General
Field Marshal
Karma 70
 Offline
Gender: 
 Australia
Posts: 3991
|
 |
« on: November 28, 2007, 10:18:08 PM » |
|
Yorks soldiers help seize $1 million Afghan drugs haul
28 Nov 07
Soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (2 Yorks) have played a key role in the seizure of more than 100kgs of opium with an estimated street value of over one million US dollars in a raid in Lashkar Gar, southern Afghanistan.
The $1million drugs haul seized in Lashkar Gar [Picture: MOD]. Opens in a new window.
Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) led the operation, which took place on Monday 26 November 2007, the first joint patrol planned and executed by the Afghan National Army and the Government of Afghanistan's Law Enforcement Agency.
The patrol was designed to provide high profile reassurance aimed at deterring counter-narcotics and enemy force activities believed to be in the area. Acting on local intelligence, the troops and officers conducted the raid on premises in the District Centre of Lashkar Gar where they discovered 100kgs of raw opium.
Soldiers from 2 Yorks played a key role in the raid, operating in their capacity as the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT). Major Gary Wolfenden explained:
"The joint planning and conduct of this patrol proves the willingness of Afghan National Security Forces to work in conjunction with each other. It demonstrates their capacity and drive to bring law and order to Helmand province."
"Lashkar Gah is a friendly area due to the input of reconstruction and relief work by civilian agencies, which is all monitored by ISAF."
Captain Ed Pawsey, the Company Operations Officer for the Operations Company in Lashkar Gah
The raid was hailed as a success, not just because of the narcotics found, but also because it allowed the Afghan National Security Forces to interact with locals and gain their trust.
Captain Ed Pawsey, the Company Operations Officer for the Operations Company in Lashkar Gar, believes that progress is being made:
"It's been awesome working with the Afghans," he said. "They are very keen to sort out their country and get on top of various security issues and get on top of the drugs coming out of the country. They are very proactive and also beginning to realise they need to conduct joint planning operations.
"They are very positive towards the ISAF troops and are keen to take the lead on everything and. They are the face that the people want to see doing the job. We're taking a back seat but giving them the reassurance to sort problems out themselves.
Soldiers from 2 Yorks helped the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) make the operation a success [Picture: MOD]. Opens in a new window.
Soldiers from 2 Yorks helped the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) make the operation a success
[Picture: MOD]
"It's incredibly important that they are able to do more of this stuff themselves. It means ISAF can focus on other areas. I was very pleased when the opium was discovered.
"The Afghan Security Forces were pretty happy and surprised. We stood back and did a mentoring role. There's clearly a lot more opium out there and the Afghan forces are really keen to stop more leaving the country.
"The problem is that it's all sustainable farming out here and opium is the easiest crop to grow. We need to find another solution for them to grow something else. A lot of the aid agencies are working on this, with some trying to introduce corn as an alternative crop."
Although Capt Pawsey recognises that the threat to ISAF troops makes the job difficult, he also believes the troops under his command are enjoying the challenge and the interaction they have with local people:
"The joint planning and conduct of this patrol proves the willingness of Afghan National Security Forces to work in conjunction with each other. It demonstrates their capacity and drive to bring law and order to Helmand Province."
Major Gary Wolfenden, Operational Mentor and Liaison Team (OMLT)
"Lashkar Gar is a friendly area due to the input of reconstruction and relief work by civilian agencies, which is all monitored by ISAF so the area is more friendly due to the presence of ISAF staff here. We get on well with the local population due to these projects.
"But there is always a threat, from IEDs and suicide bombers. The idea of the high profile patrol was in reaction to recent attacks on Afghan police checkpoints. The people feel a lot more reassured that the agencies are now patrolling the areas.
"2 Yorks are doing really well. We're involved in a variety of activities, mainly focused towards mentoring the Afghan Security Forces, which has been really successful. Everyone's been really busy, we're spread all over Helmand with a lot of success and everyone's really positive."
|
