7465 dunams destroyed in government anti-cannabis campaign to date

The people of the town of Deir el-Ahmar staged a demonstration  on Thursday morning at the entrance to the town with the participation of mayors and town officials, in protest of the destruction of cannabis crops.         

Security Forces have been eradicating cannabis crops in the area for three days in a campaign which has now lasted for months.                

The eradication process resumed on Tuesday morning without any negative repercussions, after the government pledged to compensate farmers and help them in growing alternative crops.        

The government has destroyed cannabis annually since 1992 but suspended a similar campaign this year after farmers put up armed resistance. Farmers blocked the main Yammouneh road and met bulldozers with guns and mortar shells. Two soldiers and two police officers were wounded in clashes.            

Multiple attempts by governments and nongovernmental organizations have so far failed to convince farmers in the area to grow other crops, since cannabis is relatively easy to grow, requires little water and can yield a large profit.    

Destruction of the cannabis crops covered 7135 dunams in the Bekaa and around 330 dunams in the North.

The campaign will continue until all prohibited plants are destroyed.