Afghan Government Officials Hinder Afghan Air Force Drug Smuggling Investigation by U.S.

A recent news report says that Afghan defense officials are hindering an investigation that members of the Afghan Air Force are using pilots, crew, and aircraft to smuggling drugs across Afghanistan. The U.S. suspects that smuggling operations are happening in a section of the Kabul airport that only Afghan Air Force personnel have access to. Flight plans are not being filed for irregular flights, undocumented cargo is being unloaded, and many night-time flights are occurring with no apparent reason. In the last two years the United States has spent over $20 billion dollars to train and equip the Afghan security forces - to include its Air Force - but there is very little accountability on where this money has gone. Corruption in Afghanistan is rampant throughout the Afghan government and security forces. Many U.S. service personnel working in Afghanistan have come to the conclusion that the U.S. is being taken to the cleaners by the Afghans and we are letting it happen because we don't want to get Karzai mad at us. Maybe its time we dump Karzai. We probably need to send less combat troops and more contract accountants to follow the money. Read the news article here "Afghans Hinder Smuggling Inquiry", 2 U.S. Officials Say", The New York Times, March 9, 2012.