Pubdate: Fri, 23 May 2003
Source: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)
Copyright: Allied Press Limited, 2003
Contact:  http://www2.odt.co.nz
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/925
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

TOP OPIUM PRODUCER

Paris (Reuters) - Three years after the Taleban stamped out opium growing 
in Afghanistan, a United Nations expert said yesterday the country had 
reclaimed its spot as the world's biggest opium producer.

Afghanistan now produces about 3400 tonnes a year, about 75% of global 
production, said Sandeep Chawla, head of research at the UN Office on Drugs 
and Crime.

Mr Chawla said Afghanistan's opium was worth $US1.2 billion ($NZ2.07 
billion) to its farmers last year, while traffickers made a further $US1.3 
billion - still only a fraction of its street value.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom