Afghan and U.S.-led coalition forces arrested 15 suspected drug traffickers and seized a large quantity of opium in a major counter-narcotics swoop in a southern province, local officials said Monday. The operation began Sunday in Helmand province and continued Monday. An Afghan anti-narcotics force, supported by coalition soldiers and helicopters, seized 32 assault rifles, three vehicles and a large quantity of opium, which was then destroyed by burning, The Associated Press quoted two senior provincial officials as saying.
