Pubdate: Sat, 17 Mar 2001
Source: The Daily Star (Lebanon)
Copyright: 2001 The Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.dailystar.com.lb/
Forum: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/post/

SECURITY FORCES WARN OFF DRUG CULTIVATION

The Interior Ministry has warned farmers in the northern Bekaa and Hermel 
they face stiff penalties if caught cultivating drugs.

Leaflets were dropped over the area by an army helicopter stating that 
whoever grew cannabis would face life sentences with hard labor and fines 
of up to LL100 million.

They also said that mukhtars  who concealed any drug cultivation in their 
villages would face prison sentences and fines of up to LL2 million.

Drug cultivation was prohibited in 1992, but Bekaa farmers had threatened 
to resort to growing cannabis, claiming the government did not provide them 
with alternative crops.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth