German defence contractor accused of Afghan drug-running

Monsters and Critics

A German waste disposal company working with troops in Afghanistan is under investigation by NATO for illegal activities, including drug smuggling, state NDR radio reported Friday.

Egon Ramms, a four-star general heading a NATO command, told the radio station there was a ‘danger that possibly drugs, or similar things, have been smuggled’ and showed the broadcaster documents linking the company to organized crime.

Dusseldorf-based Ecolog AG, one of several companies owned by an influential Macedonian-Albanian family, rejected the allegations.

A German interior ministry spokesman would not confirm or deny the allegations, but said Germany’s military would not approve of such activities.

Ramms said Nato was currently checking two active contracts, to see, ‘whether Ecolog is still a suitable business partner for us.’

The general told NDR that Ecolog has been working for Nato since 2003. The service provider is reportedly running a laundry service, delivering diesel and disposing of rubbish at several Afghan ISAF bases, including Kabul military airport and the ISAF headquarters.

The investigation was reportedly launched after similar charges emerged from NATO’s Kosovo mission, KFOR.

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