Government Destroys Opium Poppy Crops
From Times Wire Reports
Counter-narcotics agents in Afghanistan began plowing up poppy fields in the world’s largest source for the illicit drug industry.
The eradication campaign, funded by the U.S. and Britain, comes two days after the Afghan government and the United Nations warned that they expected cultivation of opium poppies to increase this year.
Heavily armed police and soldiers guarded the operation, after Taliban rebels threatened to defend the poppy farms.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
