KABUL, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Security forces have thwarted attempts to smuggle 52.5 tons of copper and arrested 19 alleged smugglers in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, Provincial Director for Information and Culture Mawlawi Shir Mohammad Wahdat said Thursday.
The alleged smugglers, according to the official, were attempting to take 52.5 tons of copper by four vehicles out of the province, but security forces foiled the attempts in Marja district and took into custody 19 individuals on Wednesday.
After a preliminary investigation, all the arrested individuals have been referred to the judiciary, the official further said. ■