KABUL, Afghanistan, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A U.S.-Russian raid in Afghanistan that netted $250 million in heroin and opium didn't sit well with President Hamid Karzai, who Saturday called it illegal.
Karzai is upset no one told him Russian military personnel were to take part in Thursday's operation that hit drug labs near the Pakistan border, the BBC reported.
"While Afghanistan remains committed to its joint efforts with the international community against narcotics, it also makes it clear that no organization or institution shall have the right to carry out such a military operation without prior authorization and consent of the government of Afghanistan," a statement issued by Karzai's office said.
"Such unilateral operations are a clear violation of Afghan sovereignty as well as international law, and any repetition will be met by the required reaction from our side."
Karzai said his country would like to maintain cordial relations with Russia but there must be mutual consent.
The Afghan Interior Ministry told the BBC it had thought Russians would only observe the drug raid but Russian troops were actively engaged.
Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Karzai's security adviser, said NATO officials had apologized privately but he wanted a public mea culpa.
