Myanmar Destroys 8,603 Hectares of Poppy Fields in 2000-01The Myanmar authorities destroyed 8, 603 hectares of poppy fields out of 32,644 hectares illegally cultivated in the fiscal year 2000-01 which ended in March, state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported Friday.In the previous fiscal year of 1999-2000, the authorities destroyed 4,450 hectares of poppy fields out of 36,634 hectares cultivated. Meanwhile, the authorities are also taking action against money laundering out of drug trade, the report said, adding that a new money laundering law, which is in conformity with those of the international community including the neighboring countries, has been drafted and is being finalized for promulgation soon. The paper stressed the need to make thorough studies and give education on drugs to local people in border areas in the country's bid to wipe out narcotic drugs. To promote the local people's anti-drug awareness and to root out poppy cultivation and narcotic drug production, trafficking and abuse, Myanmar has built and opened a narcotic drug eradication museum in Laukkai of Kokang region in northeastern Shan state in December 2000. |
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