Uruzgan: 330kg of ephedra seized, poppies eradicated

TIRINKOT (Pajhwok): Security forces have discovered a drug-processing factory, recovered 330 kilograms of ephedra and arrested two suspects in central Uruzgan province.

The security personnel also eradicated five acres of poppies in the Chora district of the remote province, one official said on Saturday.

Police spokesman Saadullah Zahid told Pajhwok Afghan News the security forces raided an ephedra-processing laboratory in Kishi area.

The raiding party recovered 330 kilograms of the ephedra herb and 12 barrels of liquids used in making drugs, as well as some tools, he said.

Zahid added the security forces arrested two men named Mohammad Naees and Abdul Qayoum in connection with running the drug lab.

Some poppy farms were destroyed in Chora during a separate operation, the police spokesman said.

The poppies had been grown on five acres of land in Asha Zai area. No one was arrested for poppy cultivation, he added.

As part of counter-narcotic efforts, an ephedra factory had been destroyed in Dur Afshan area of the provincial capital, Tirinkot, a month ago.

aw/mud