Written question asked by Anne Main (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 July 2008. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value is of illegal drugs seized by British troops in Afghanistan in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Afghan authorities have the lead for counter-narcotic activity, but under the terms of the current NATO Operational Plan (OPLAN), ISAF forces may support them, including through support to interdiction operations. ISAF forces hand over any drugs, associated equipment, and traffickers to the Afghan authorities at the earliest possible opportunity.In the absence of any ISAF requirement to record details of narcotic seizures, UK forces have to date not retained a central record of drug seizures, and any attempt to provide one would come at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information