I used to watch eradication flights overfly 20 hectare fields to go destroy 3 hectare fields. The USG was putting the smaller growers out of business to let the larger druglords corner the market.
USAID would also build raisin drying huts at 50k ea, with the idea of creating a value add on grapes to dissuade farmers from growing poppies. Then they would go unused, turn into sniper hides. US MIL would destroy them and USAID (State/CIA) would rebuild them the following spring.
The U.S. was guarding the opium poppy fields. Where do you think the money for all the black projects comes from? Bake sales?
I used to watch eradication flights overfly 20 hectare fields to go destroy 3 hectare fields. The USG was putting the smaller growers out of business to let the larger druglords corner the market.
USAID would also build raisin drying huts at 50k ea, with the idea of creating a value add on grapes to dissuade farmers from growing poppies. Then they would go unused, turn into sniper hides. US MIL would destroy them and USAID (State/CIA) would rebuild them the following spring.