Opium trade continues to support Afghan Taliban
Updated
Taliban insurgents are forcing farmers in southern Afghanistan to grow opium poppies and imposing a tax on the crops, according to reports.
Afghanistan produces over ninety-percent of the world's opium, helping to fund Taliban and other militant activities, even though production dropped worldwide by 19 per cent last year. A local farmer in southwestern Farah province told the UN-linked IRIN news that by growing opium, they are demonstrating support for 'jihad' against the Americans.
Gregor Salmon is a writer based in Sydney. His new book is called 'Poppy: Life, Death and Addiction Inside Afghanistan's Opium Trade'.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speakers: Gregor Salmon, author.
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