New York
An alleged Afghan drug lord with ties to the Taliban was arrested in New York this week and accused of trying to smuggle $50 million worth of heroin into the U.S. Bashir Noorzai, 44, had been singled out by President Bush as one of the world’s most-wanted criminals. Noorzai allegedly provided explosives, guns, and manpower to the Taliban, who ruled Afghanistan until the U.S. toppled them in 2001. “In exchange, the Taliban allowed Noorzai’s business to flourish,” said U.S. Attorney David Kelley. U.S. authorities did not say how they caught Noorzai. His court-appointed attorney declined to comment.
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