Afghanistan: Islamic State Eradicating Afghan Poppy Crops


May 2, 2016 | Zia-U-Rahman Hasrat and Noor Zahid, Voice of America
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The United States and the West have long targeted Afghan opium and heroin production. Now the industry has a new enemy: Islamic State (IS). Afghan opium farmers in areas under IS control told VOA's Afghan service that IS has started eradicating poppy crops in eastern parts of the country. IS has reportedly destroyed opium plants used for heroin production in Nangarhar's Achin and Dehbala districts and has warned farmers to find another cash crop.