Afghanistan Increases Illicit Opium Production

According the United Nations, illicit poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, the world’s leader in opium production, increased and spread into declared “poppy free” areas in 2011, despite efforts to destroy poppy fields. The attempt to disrupt opium-smuggling operations and insurgent networks that profit form opium production has cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The increase is likely due to insecurity in the region as well as the soaring opium prices. The amount of land used to cultivate poppies increased by 7%.

One acre of land can produce more than $4,000 worth of opium. Profits gained from opium production and smuggling benefits insurgent groups, drug warlords, and corrupt politicians and security forces, making it difficult for Afghanistan to increase stability in the region.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/12/world/asia/un-reports-sharp-rise-in-opium-production-in-afghanistan.html (Reliability: 9)