FAIZABAD (SW): Authorities at the provincial counter narcotics directorate have said that the directorate has cleared 500 hectares of poppy cultivated lands.
The authorities have informed that in this year’s drive to clean poppy lands, they have managed to clean 500 hectares out of 6000 hectares of poppy cultivated lands.
Mohammad Qayid Ifandi, provincial counter narcotics director, talking to Salam Watandar called the insecurity and presences of armed men in several districts of the province as the main cause of the surge in poppy cultivation. But, he assured with the poppy cleaning drive, opium production will be less this year in the province.
Suhrab Rasooli, head of counter narcotics department at the provincial police headquarters, said the harvest season has not come yet in high altitude and cold area of the province, the police are trying to clean poppy fields in those areas.
Based on data provided by the provincial counter narcotics directorate, the poppy has been cultivated in more than 6000 hectares of land, an increase of 10 per cent compared to last year.
ENDS
