Hanoian cultivates opium garden to make liqueur

By Phan Anh   March 23, 2021 | 03:00 am PT
Hanoian cultivates opium garden to make liqueur
A field of flowering opium poppies. Illustration photo by Shutterstock.
Hundreds of opium poppies have been found in a Hanoi garden, whose owner said he was growing the plants to make medicinal liqueur.

Around 365 opium poppies, some already bearing fruits, were found in a garden in Bac Tu Liem District Sunday. The garden belonged to 52-year-old Dang Tran Thanh, the governmental news portal reported, citing Tay Tuu Ward police.

The poppy garden was subsequently destroyed and relevant evidence being seized. Some people were taken to the local police station for questioning.

Police said the garden was located on a land plot hidden between two nearby houses and covered with black nets, making it difficult for others to detect them.

Thanh said he grew the opium poppies to make herbal liqueur, believing it could cure bone and joint diseases. He said he brought the plants on social media.

Opium is on the list of forbidden narcotics in Vietnam.

 
 
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