Afghan Biographies

Bagcho, Haji


Name Bagcho, Haji
Ethnic backgr. Pashtun
Date of birth 1942
Function/Grade Reputed major Afghan Druglord
History and Biodata

3. Biodata:
bagcho_hajiHaji Bagcho Sherzai Haji Bagcho Shirzai was was born 1942 in Nangahar Province, Afghanistan. He lived in Marco village in Nangahar Province. He also owned a compound in Hayatabad, outside of Peshawar, Pakistan. He is married and has children. His eldest son is Sucha Gul. He assisted his father in moving drugs, but his key role in the organization was in handling drug proceeds and bookkeeping.

Baghcho was arrested in Afghanistan and extradited to USA.

Haji Bagcho, aka Haji Bagh Chagul, an Afghan national, was ordered detained by Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia while he awaits trial on U.S. narcotics charges, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Acting Administrator Michele M. Leonhart of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Bagcho was charged in a two-count indictment unsealed June 24, 2009, with one count of conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin knowing and intending that it would be imported into the United States and one count of distribution of one kilogram or more of heroin knowing and intending that it be imported into the United States. Conviction on either of these charges carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation that would require Bagcho, if convicted, to forfeit the proceeds of his criminal activity.

He was convicted 20120313 on charges of importing and distributing heroin and for narco-terrorism. His sentencing is scheduled for June 12, 2012. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison.(20120314)

Bagcho was sentenced 20120612 to life in prison for using proceeds of one of the world's largest heroin distribution operations to support the Taliban insurgency. After a first trial ended last fall 2011 with a hung jury, Bagcho was convicted in March 2012 of conspiracy, distributing heroin for importation into the United States and narcoterrorism. Speaking rapidly through an interpreter, Bagcho appeared agitated as he proclaimed his innocence, saying he was simply a merchant like his father and grandfather before him and attempting to rehash elements of his trial.

Background:
In September 2006, the DEA and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) began investigating Bagcho’s alleged heroin trafficking activities in the area along the Afghan/Pakistan border. Bagcho arrived in the United States from Afghanistan on June 23, 2009.

The case is being prosecuted by trial attorneys from NDDS. The investigation in this case was led by the Special Operations Division and DEA’s Kabul Country Office. Significant assistance in this matter was provided by attorneys in the Criminal Division’s Senior Federal Prosecutors Program in Kabul and the Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs. The Government of Afghanistan, through the Attorney General’s Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and the Afghan Counter Narcotics Justice Task Force played significant roles in the this matter. An indictment is a formal charging document notifying the defendant of his charges. All persons charged by an indictment are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Last Modified 2012-06-14
Established 2009-10-12