Head of Russian anti-drug watchdog: NATO’s activities in Afghanistan is a shame for humanity

Despite the presence of the NATO troops in Afghanistan, the size of territory covered by narcotic plants has grown by almost 7% for a year, by 60% for three years; meanwhile, yield of opium poppy has increased. It is a shame for humanity, said the head of the Russian Federal Drug Control Service Victor Ivanov, while speaking at a briefing in Ufa.

“Afghanistan has a state budget worth $13bn, while drugs are manufactured for $150bn,” he continued adding that because of this, the country cannot solve the problem and the grey sector is giving loans to illegal opium farmers. “If we hope for the temporary force, we see that NATO troops have achieved nothing there. Moreover, John F. Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, a US citizen, used to say that opium-poppy fields are blooming right behind military bases,” Ivanov reminded.