INCB concerned at illegal cultivation of cannabis plants

New Delhi, Mar 5 (UNI) The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) has expressed concern at illegal cultivation of 'cannabis' in parts of India and Sri Lanka, in addition to the psychotropic plant growing wild in a number of South Asian countries including Nepal.

In its annual report, the Vienna-based UN body said though in South Asia trafficking and abuse of opiates and pharmaceutical preparations usually command the most attention, Cannabis is also a problem that should not be overlooked.

''In 2004, the last year for which detailed figures are available, over 46 tonnes of cannabis herb were seized in NorthEast India, accounting for over one-third of the country's total volume of seized cannabis herb (144 tonnes).'' Despite stringent measures taken by the Indian government against the diversion of licitly cultivated opium, some opium and poppy husk continue to be diverted to illicit markets in the country, the report said.

Crude heroin manufactured from such diverted opium was trafficked and sold on illicit markets in India or was smuggled into other countries. Domestically manufactured heroin continued to be seized in country. Most of the illicit heroin laboratories dismantled in the country were near opium poppy cultivation areas, it said.

In addition to low-grade heroin manufactured using opium diverted from licit sources, heroin from South West Asia continued to be smuggled into India and passed through the country on its way to other countries. Heroin in small quantities entering some North Eastern states of India from SouthEast Asia was mainly abused locally in those states, the INCB report said.

Evidence suggested that Punjab had been emerging as a new hub for smuggling drugs into India, the traditional trafficking hubs being New Delhi and Mumbai, it said.

''This recent development appeares to be connected with the increase in the licit and illicit cross-border flow of goods and persons between India and Pakistan. Most of the drugs, particularly heroin, smuggled into India through Punjab are subsequently taken to New Delhi or Mumbai before being transported further to other countries.'' MORE UNI