Botched Anti-IED System May be Linked to US Soldier Deaths in Afghanistan, Report Finds

Photo Credit: SPECIAL IG FOR AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTIONA program designed to protect U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan by covering roadside drains with thick metal to prevent insurgents from planting bombs was plagued by shoddy and incomplete workmanship — and may have actually contributed to the deaths of American Marines, according to an internal report.

Millions of U.S. dollars have been spent on thousands of so-called “culvert denial systems” since 2009, but a scathing report released Tuesday by the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction says hundreds of the devices were never installed or installed improperly. The report said an investigation has been launched “into whether this apparent failure to perform may have been a factor in the death or injury of several U.S. soldiers.”

The investigation has led to two arrests so far — an Afghan contractor and a sub-contractor. The men, who were paid $1 million by the U.S. government to install 250 culvert denial systems, didn’t install the devices as promised. The ones they did install were installed incorrectly, according to the report.

“The loss of life because individuals were not doing their job is horrific and unacceptable,” Special Inspector General John Sopko told FoxNews.com in a written statement. “This case shows so clearly that fraud can kill in Afghanistan. We will find out if contracting officers did not do their job and if that proves to be true and Americans have died, we will hold those individuals accountable.”

Both men have been charged with fraud and negligent homicide.

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