Haji Abdul Satar Abdul Manaf, a 59-year-old Afghan national, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on December 13 for attempting to import heroin into the U.S., participating in narco-terrorism to support the Taliban and the Haqqani Network, and for tampering with witnesses, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Manaf was sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (TREAS) in 2012 for financially supporting the Taliban’s operations in Afghanistan. He had been providing funds to support the Taliban’s activities against coalition forces, aiding their terrorist operations.
Beginning in 2018, Manaf facilitated the smuggling of large amounts of heroin into the United States, using the profits to fund Taliban and Haqqani Network operations. During the investigation, he interacted with individuals whom he believed were part of a major drug trafficking syndicate. Four of these individuals were confidential DEA sources, while one was an undercover agent.
In August 2018, Manaf sold 10 kilograms of heroin to the undercover agent, fully aware that it was intended for sale in New York. He also provided assurance that Taliban operatives would protect future heroin shipments. Manaf arranged for the drug proceeds to be transferred to the Haqqani Network.
Following his arrest and extradition, Manaf tried to intimidate a DEA witness from testifying against him. While in detention in New York, he directed his brothers to kidnap the witness in Afghanistan at gunpoint, threatening to kill him if he testified.
This case underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to preventing narco-terrorism and ensuring that individuals involved in such activities are held accountable for their crimes.
