The CIA conducted a covert operation from 2004 to 2015 to weaken Afghanistan's opium production by dispersing modified poppy seeds over the country's fields, according to reports citing 14 individuals familiar with the classified effort.</span

Atlas Press

The New Arab

The CIA conducted a covert operation from 2004 to 2015 to weaken Afghanistan's opium production by dispersing modified poppy seeds over the country's fields, according to reports citing 14 individuals familiar with the classified effort.

The operation targeted Afghanistan's provinces of Nangarhar and Helmand using British C-130 aircraft for nighttime drops, with the modified seeds designed to produce plants containing minimal chemicals needed for heroin production.</span

India Today

AgroReview

The operation targeted Afghanistan's provinces of Nangarhar and Helmand using British C-130 aircraft for nighttime drops, with the modified seeds designed to produce plants containing minimal chemicals needed for heroin production.

The program was authorized by President George W. Bush through a classified presidential directive and continued into the Obama administration, with the CIA's Crime and Narcotics Center overseeing the tremendously expensive operation.</span

Anadolu Ajansı

Agenzia Nova

The program was authorized by President George W. Bush through a classified presidential directive and continued into the Obama administration, with the CIA's Crime and Narcotics Center overseeing the tremendously expensive operation.

Afghanistan historically produced approximately 80 to 90 percent of the world's opium supply, with Afghan heroin accounting for 95 percent of the European market and representing a billion-dollar industry for the country.</span

PressTV

Afghanistan historically produced approximately 80 to 90 percent of the world's opium supply, with Afghan heroin accounting for 95 percent of the European market and representing a billion-dollar industry for the country.

Former officials described the program's results as mixed, with some claiming short-term success while later evaluations indicated little long-term impact and questioned whether the benefits justified the substantial costs involved.</span

Former officials described the program's results as mixed, with some claiming short-term success while later evaluations indicated little long-term impact and questioned whether the benefits justified the substantial costs involved.

Following the Taliban's ban on opium production in April 2022, cultivation areas decreased by 20 percent and opium production fell by over 32 percent, though recent figures show a 19 percent increase in cultivation areas.</span

Following the Taliban's ban on opium production in April 2022, cultivation areas decreased by 20 percent and opium production fell by over 32 percent, though recent figures show a 19 percent increase in cultivation areas.

CIA's Secret 11-Year Mission to Sabotage Afghan Opium Revealed

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CIA's Secret 11-Year Mission to Sabotage Afghan Opium Revealed

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