2 Held as Security Forces Begin Destroying Poppy Fields in Bekaa
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
An operation to eradicate opium poppy fields in the Bekaa region has reached the Rasm al-Hadath area and two people were arrested there, state-run National News Agency reported Monday.
It said the campaign will continue until all crops in coastal and mountainous regions are removed.
Earlier in the day, NNA said the Internal Security Forces' anti-drug bureau, aided by the army, had launched an operation to demolish poppy fields in the town of Boday, west of Baalbek, and the Hermel region.
“Areas cultivated with this crop were obliterated in these two locations,” the agency added.
Last week, Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat announced his support for legalizing the cultivation of cannabis in Lebanon, especially in the impoverished Bekaa region.
“There should not be any concerns over legalizing and organizing the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes, as it would not pose a health risk unless it is turned into an addiction," Jumblat said during an interview on al-Jadeed TV.
The PSP leader condemned the fact that authorities had offered Bekaa's peasants unviable alternative crops, such as saffron. “It is an easy to cultivate crop, but it needs experience. They cultivate it in Iran and it requires skilled workers,” Jumblat added.
Jumblat's remarks come on the heels of a recent statement by former tourism minister Fadi Abboud, who has recently called for “legalizing the cultivation, export and medical use of cannabis” in order to fund the stalled new wage scale.
A lot of residents in the Bekaa defend the opium and cannabis industry as their only source of employment. During Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, Lebanese hashish, which is known for its quality, fed a flourishing industry that generated hundreds of millions of dollars a year in income.
Hashish is a cannabis product derived from the resin of the plant, and produced in large quantities in the Bekaa.
Under pressure from the United States, Lebanon has launched several eradication campaigns, and in past years, the army bulldozed thousands of hectares of cannabis.
Farmers had often taken up arms to defend their crop.
Y.R.
S.D.B.
05 May 2014, 16:51
59
The terror party resists the zionist enemy by cultivating opium poppy fields in the Bekaa.
05 May 2014, 16:52
53
Why destroy these crops? better legalize them, tax them, and use proceeds to pay for the salary scale.
05 May 2014, 17:01
36
that'd be nice but the main market is outside and exporting the "produce" would be illegal.
better replace it with regular crops, but those peasants are used to a quicker buck rather than harder work.
06 May 2014, 13:41
00
The main market outside would dies without the "Red Lebanese", Most of these fields are transported into foreign countries, wen 3ayish ?:p
05 May 2014, 17:08
58
this is the Resistance : dealing drugs, mut'a, stealing cars,killing sunnis and then they go and cry for Hussein, r.a.
05 May 2014, 18:25
75
southern.
if someone (cedre) does not agree to the HA's milicia taking over the country, that doesnt make them palestinian. True, cedre is pretty sectarian, but he is lebanese.
05 May 2014, 21:11
54
southern. Of course I am with LAF. Even though LAF tends to be more often than not pro-HA, I am pro-LAF to the bone.
Regarding cedre, i told u, he IS definitely sectarian. But all he says about HA is true. You see, we are all tired that the shia sect, has the privilege to have its own private milicia with which it can impose its conditions on us. It is simply UNFAIR.
Anyone becomes sectarian with this humiliating state of facts.
05 May 2014, 21:40
46
Southern... "I always give priority to a lebanese national over any foreign one"
Except for does belonging to the Glorious Axis they are above all.
06 May 2014, 12:14
11
@Southern : A traitor is one who follows Iranian orders because he receives funding and weapons from that country. In fact, if he doesn't follow Iranian orders, he doesnt receive funding and weapons.
And if as you claim, you give priority to "Lebanese" then please tell me what the hell are you doing in Syria helping Lebanon's butcher ?
05 May 2014, 19:55
42
why ? why are they doing that? the summer is on its way and people want to live! isnt it better than dealing with chemical pills? They only know how to destroy people's income and never create income for anyone ! And its not about Hizbullah most of the poppy growers in the Bekaa are not affiliated to anyone
