Reputed Afghan drug lord in U.S. for trial

WASHINGTON, June 30 (UPI) -- A U.S. magistrate ordered a reputed drug lord, described as a major heroin supplier in eastern Afghanistan, held in Washington pending trial.

The defendant, Haji Bagcho, appeared before a U.S. magistrate Monday to answer an indictment for a heroin trafficking conspiracy and for importing heroin into the United States, CNN reported.

A federal law enforcement official familiar with the case described Bagcho as "a big fish" who, by his own accounting, shows more than $100 million in profits during one recent eight-month period.

The official also told CNN Bagcho had a "symbiotic relationship" with Taliban militants.

"He gave them money and they gave him protection to operate a sophisticated network of labs," the law enforcement official said.

Bagcho's arrest arose from an undercover operation conducted by Afghan law enforcement officials, U.S. officials said. He was turned over to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents who, with Defense Department help, flew Bagcho to the United States last week.