Russia and the U.S. will continue joint operations in Afghanistan to destroy drug laboratories after reaching an agreement with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, the head of Russia's drug watchdog said on Monday.
Russian and U.S. drug control services carried out on October 28 a joint anti-narcotics operation in Afghanistan, destroying 4 drug labs and 900 kilograms of heroin worth more than $250 million, Ivanov said last week.
The raid was criticized by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who said the operation infringed the Central Asian state's sovereignty.
But Ivanov said that all the issues had now resolved with Karzari.
"The issues on the operation to destroy four drug laboratories held last Thursday were discussed [with Karzai], and we reached a mutual understanding," Ivanov said, adding that the raid had also seen the involvement of Afghan drug police.
Ivanov also said documents on continuing the operations had been signed with U.S. officials in Washington.
Afghan drug production increased dramatically after the U.S.-led invasion toppled the Taliban in 2001, and Russia has been one of the most affected countries, with heroin consumption rising steeply.
An estimated 90 percent of heroin consumed in Russia is trafficked from Afghanistan via Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
RIA Novosti
