CIA conducted covert program to undermine Afghanistan's opium production

The Central Intelligence Agency operated a clandestine program for over a decade aimed at sabotaging Afghanistan's lucrative opium production through the distribution of genetically altered poppy seeds. According to a Washington Post investigation, the covert initiative spanned from 2004 to 2015 and sought to diminish the narcotic potency of Afghanistan's billion-dollar opium trade, which provided significant financing to Taliban operations and other militant organizations.Program Details and Methodology

Citing fourteen sources familiar with the classified operation, the report revealed that the CIA airdropped specially engineered poppy seeds that yielded plants containing minimal amounts of the chemical compounds necessary for heroin production. The initial aerial distribution utilized British C-130 aircraft to target Afghanistan's primary opium-growing regions, particularly focusing on Nangarhar and Helmand provinces where opium cultivation was most concentrated.

Authorization and Administration

The covert program received presidential authorization from George W. Bush and continued throughout the Obama administration, operating under the supervision of the CIA's Crime and Narcotics Center. Former officials described the initiative as "tremendously expensive" while acknowledging mixed results in effectively curbing the opium trade that remained a cornerstone of the Afghan economy and insurgent financing throughout the period.

Limited Effectiveness and Legacy

While the CIA has not officially commented on the report, sources indicated the program achieved limited success in disrupting Afghanistan's opium production despite substantial investment. The revelation highlights the extensive measures undertaken by US intelligence agencies to combat narcotics trafficking in conflict zones, even as Afghanistan maintained its position as the world's primary opium producer throughout the covert operation's duration.

SEO Tags: