Lebanonese MJ Farmers Fight Security Forces

url: hMPp://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/23/us-lebanon-clashes-drugs-idUSBRE86M0DA20120723


BEIRUT | Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:39am EDT

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Farmers armed with machineguns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars forced government troops to abandon an operation to destroy their illegal cannabis crop in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Monday, a witness said.

No casualties were reported in the exchange of fire but two security force vehicles were hit by bullets, the witness said.

During Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war, the fertile Bekaa Valley produced up
to 1,000 metric tons (1.1023 * 1000 tons) of cannabis resin annually and 30 to 50 metric tons of opium, used to make heroin.

The crop was eradicated under a United Nations program between 1991-1993 but it has reemerged as the security forces struggle to control the volatile country. There are no reliable statistics on how much cannabis is produced in Lebanon now.

Security forces run operations to destroy annual marijuana crops but face resistance from angry farmers who see the lucrative and easy-to-grow crop as a way to make money for their impoverished community.

A security source said government forces were regrouping and planning a new operation to destroy the crop.

(Reporting by Afif Diab; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Today's follow up:

url: hMPp://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/Jul-24/181804-cannabis-fields-in-bekaa-destroyed-for-second-day.ashx#axzz21ZOHBSbd


BEKAA, Lebanon: Lebanese authorities continued efforts to eradicate cannabis fields in the Bekaa, east Lebanon, Tuesday as normal activity in the region remained subdued due to reports of prowling gunmen.

Two bulldozers were used in Tuesday’s operation in addition to 17 tractors after 15 tractors were sabotaged by gunmen a day earlier.

The operation, which was launched Monday, is proceeding with caution, especially following reports of armed men in the vicinity of Boudai on the outskirts of Baalbek, though no gunfire was recorded.

Speaking to reporters at the scene, Lieut. Col. Elias Zeaiter said: “We are carrying out the mission in such a manner as to destroy the banned drugs and maintain the prestige and dignity of the state.”

Zeaiter added that security forces spotted heavily armed men at a distance but that they were located in an area far from the day’s operations.

Around 35,000 dunums (8,600 acres) in the northern Bekaa are believed to be used for the cultivation of cannabis, which has long flourished in the fertile valley. Although the government banned the plant in 1992 and began annual campaigns to destroy it, farmers continue to grow the plant.

Campaigns to encourage farmers switch to other crops such as sunflowers, saffron and tobacco have been unsuccessful on a large scale, as the crops were either unsuited to the local environs or not as profitable as cannabis.

“We are carrying out the mission in such a manner as to destroy the banned drugs and maintain the prestige and dignity of the state.”
Says it all, no real reason for expending so much energy to eliminate a plant with a toxicity level lower than water.
These armed men are patriots to their homeland and are defending a way of life that precedes the government that threatens these peoples very existence.

Imagine what they could produce w/o the threat of UN sanctions and the US over their heads. Probably some very fine cannabis if given the right conditions.

The Red Lebanese Hash is something legen ... wait for it ... dary :aok:

awesome BHO....:rofl: