December 20, 2007 3:26 PM

Stephen Grey and Anna Schecter Report:

In some of the strongest evidence to date linking the Taliban with the drug trade, 11 tons of processed opium for heroin production, worth tens of millions of dollars, was discovered by NATO troops when they stormed the Taliban-controlled town of Musa Qala in southern Afghanistan.

Investigative reporter and author Stephen Grey was the only journalist who accompanied the thousands of Afghan, British and American forces as they took the strategic town last week.

Musa Qala was a key stronghold for the Taliban in Afghanistan and has been known to be a major crossroads for the opium trade.

NATO troops discovered two sites of opium production that were operating with the blessing of the Taliban government. The troops burned the processed opium last week.

British troops abandoned Musa Qala in October of 2006 after losing seven lives defending a base in the town from waves of Taliban attacks. The Taliban took it over in February of that year. It became one of the few major places in Afghanistan where the Taliban could operate in the open, trying to set up their own local government and courts.

U.S. commanders openly criticized the British-backed handover of Musa Qala. The recapture of the town heals an open wound that undermined claims by NATO that the Taliban were being defeated militarily.

Stephen Grey is the author of "Ghost Plane: The True Story of the CIA's Rendition and Torture Program" (St Martin's Press). He is an award-winning investigative reporter who has contributed to the New York Times, BBC, PBS and ABC News among others.

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Being Afghan myself, this disgraces me. To know that most of the opium in the world comes from your country is just sad. I know first hand that money is tight there and people would do anything for money it shouldnt be like this. And with war and fighting violence it is hard to stop and I understand but this isnt right. Also people reading the article might not realize what really is going on please dont stereotyppe afghans. We are not terrorists trying to destroy the world. We are just a country that has been taken over by terrorist groups that originally promised peace and economic stability. We would never had let the taliban take over in the start if we knew that it would bring violence and blood.

I agree with JKHWAJA, every country is nice and want peace but due to the interference of USA and other First World Countries, they show Poor Countries Terrorist and make Fun of them in International Media. And we should'nt believe on it....

Don't worry, people that know better are perfectly aware that the "Taliban" do not represent what is Afghanistan truly stands for. After all Afghanistan means "Land of Afghans" and when we say "Afghans" we are referring to the [Only Registered users can see links . Click Here To Register...], not the Taliban. They are a separate movement that made up their own laws and beliefs to an extremist level. With power comes corruption, this is true for every nation in the world. However, how you choose to abuse these powers can draw unwanted attention.

The article specifies it was Taliban endorsed, hence it does not represent what the country stands for. Facts are facts, terrorists from any nation will be given media attention. Even local US terrorism activities were plastered by the media all over the world.

If we make fun of terrorists then so what? They believe it is OK to spread their message or belief's by striking fear into those that oppose them even if it means killing innocent victims. If we don't call them out for the waste of society they are, then who will?

What they did here by burning the drugs was a good thing, NATO represents a joint effort by different Nations, not just the US. They are peace keepers too, remember that. I am ex Canadian Military and I support NATO 100% I don't care for what the US does by itself, but NATO is a different entity and you shouldn't stereotype them either.

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