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Hashish ya Libnan

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Today hit news is all about Hezbollah & Cocaine. News headlines such as "Cocaine Ring May Have Financed Hezbollah", 'Hezbollah drugs ring' hit and Police dismantle international gang, are flooding the media stream.

Bekaa Valley HashishPersonally I'm not surprised. Not surprised how the media keeps trying to link any gang of terrorist activity to Arab, Islam and in particular here, Hezbollah, which is not the point.

The fact that Lebanon history with cocaine, heroin, Hashish, cannabis and all these sort of drugs, can’t be denied. Nor we can deny the millionaires enriched by smuggling and drug trafficking and effect of that on politics in Lebanon and Syria.

Less than a month ago, 4 tons of Hashish were seized in east Lebanon. That was not the first time, nor will it be the last. The disturbing thing is the news coming from Bekaa and Baalbek. Many farmers say growing hashish is their only hope of rescuing their family from poverty.

Hashish in LebanonBaalbek, the city of the sun, where ancient Romans engraved images of opium poppies on the walls of their temples. Nowadays, following the recent Syrian troop withdrawal, local farmers are hoping the area can once again return to its former glory as the country's narcotics nerve center.

Following the Syrian pullout, farmers seem to be bolder and more open to talking about their intentions to grow hashish. They have had enough miseries and frustrations. This is what many Bekaa farmers saying. The issue is one of survival, plain and simple.

In the Bekaa, the question of whether to grow cannabis is one question farmers have been wrestling with, and losing, for a long time. So much so, in fact, that Lebanon has earned a reputation in the international community as a major supplier of the region's hashish.

In 1998 a campaign to crackdown on the illegal drugs trade started. Security forces were ordered to destroy hashish fields and farmers were encouraged to switch to alternative crops. International donors pledged $300m in aid to help farmers switch to other crops. But they have only delivered a small part of that promise. The sad fact that in the Bekaa, farmers can sell a truckload – approximately 1,500 kilograms – of raw cannabis for $1,500, compared to receiving a $200 fixed price for the same load of wheat from the government. Of course, that is only if they don't get caught.

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{ 7 } Comments

  1. abu Sinan | June 22, 2005 at 6:12 pm | Permalink

    Good post. Although I do have issue with "Islamic" groups using the money raised from such illegal activities. When you finance your group with haraam, only negative can come from it.

  2. Haitham | June 22, 2005 at 7:22 pm | Permalink

    If the link between these gangs and Hezbollah is true, you don't have to worry. They will find a way to turn 'Haraam to Halal'.

  3. walid maw'ed | June 23, 2005 at 1:42 pm | Permalink

    salammat, some know any links that show the water need to this fields, of hashish and…… any information about… well be so nice and thank you

  4. Mahmoud Raya | June 28, 2005 at 12:06 am | Permalink

    I agree with you abiut the Povretty of Bekaa valey and about the trap of the lebanese administration caused more miseries for the farmers.
    But it is not acceptable to take that a reason to make the Hashish agriculture is legal and morale.
    About Hizbollah And the cocaine I think that is a big joke and the americans and their arms in the world say that to punish Hizbollah when he take his Victory against the american,s Baby:Israel

  5. walid | July 26, 2005 at 12:35 am | Permalink

    well, salammat… still waiting for any information, for the water need . thank you

  6. Frank Fagersand | August 3, 2006 at 3:07 am | Permalink

    Hello.
    Wery good reading.
    Aim dont cear, the US FBI Are olso in Drugs Bisnis.
    The many have to coms from sam wear.

    The bigest treorists are Bush and Israel.

    Israel have no right to Teror Palestine like wats hapend.

    The Fuking US just Loking do nothing.

  7. Robin | August 3, 2006 at 7:44 pm | Permalink

    Defrauding America
    Site for Providing Accurate Insider Information on
    Corruption in the Three Branches of Government

    (And the Usual Widespread Cover-Ups) http://www.ciadrugs.com/

    The Bush Cheney Drug Empire:
    http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ciadrugs/bush-cheney-drugs.html

    Gary Webb, the journalist who uncovered the Iran/Contra/Drug connection:
    http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/20742/%E2%80%9Dhttp://www.consortiumnews.com/2004/102904.html%E2%80%9D

    More on Iran/Contra http://www.flashpoints.net/rightHandLeftHand.html

    The Nation, John Kerry's role in pursuing the drug connection in the Iran/Contra affair:
    http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010716/dcorn/2

    Evidence linkin George Bush 1 to Los Angeles cocaine trade:
    http://www.bwbadge.com/bush.htm

    The Nation, "The Scandal" drugs and the CIA
    http://www.thenation.com/doc/19990920/kornbluh/2

    The Nation, "Thugs (drugs) Make for Unreliable Allies"
    http://www.thenation.com/doc/20011015/20011002

    Israel on the list of major drug laundering countries:
    http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2006/vol2/html/62140.htm

    G7 lists hot countries for drug money laundering (Isreal included)
    http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2006/vol2/html/62140.htm

    My point: It's the POT (no pun intended) CALLING THE KETTLE BLACK!!!!

{ 2 } Trackbacks

  1. AraBlog reBlog | June 24, 2005 at 3:04 pm | Permalink

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    Today hit news is all about Hezbollah & Cocaine. News headlines such as "Cocaine Ring May Have Financed Hezbollah", 'Hezbollah drugs ring' hit and Police dismantle international gang, are flooding the media stream. Persona…

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