Email   Print   Share By Maj. Anthony Crumbey, 504th BfSB Public Affairs

Facebook Digg Delicious May 24, 2012 | Across DoD

Afghan Border Police personnel uncover a hidden stash of nearly 18 tons of ammonium chloride in a truck at the Weesh border crossing checkpoint in southern Kandahar province, Afghanistan. The chemical, which is banned for import into Afghanistan, is a common ingredient used by insurgents to manufacture heroin, which funds their operations. Courtesy photo

This bag of ammonium chloride is part of a stash of nearly 18 tons found recently in a truck at the Weesh border crossing checkpoint in southern Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Courtesy photo

Melons conceal a secret and dangerous cargo- nearly 18 tons of ammonium chloride found recently in a truck at the Weesh border crossing checkpoint in southern Kandahar province, Afghanistan. Courtesy photo

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan - Afghan Border Police seized more than 35,000 pounds of ammonium chloride, a crucial

component in the manufacture of illicit narcotics, during a routine customs inspection at the Weesh border crossing in Kandahar’s southern Spin Boldak district May 9.

3rd Afghan Border Police and Soldiers partnered with Alpha Troop, 2nd Squadron, 38th Cavalry Regiment, 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade discovered the chemical while searching a vehicle that was attempting to enter Afghanistan from Pakistan. The truck transporting the ammonium chloride was laden to capacity with watermelons, but further inspection revealed that beneath the melons and a layer of straw, more than 300 bags of the chemical precursor were intermixed with several bags of flour.

Because of its use in creating heroin, a primary source of funding for the insurgency, ammonium chloride has been banned for import

into Afghanistan. As a result, insurgents and criminal networks have resorted to smuggling the substance into the country.