Afghans opium poppy cultivation has soared, and this year’s harvest could be twice as large as last year’s near-record crop unless eradication efforts are immediately stepped up. According to Robert Charles, Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the heroin business is “almost definitely” filling the coffers of the Taliban and another Afghan group linked to Osama bin Laden and “possibly” enriching al-Qaeda fighters as well.
SOURCE:Baltimore Sun, April 2, 2004.