Hopong, 8 January

Police destroyed cultivation of poppy near Pakhat (or) Pankhan Village in Hopong Township, the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone of southern Shan State at 6:30 am on 7 January, according to Myanmar Police Force.

A combined team comprising Police Superintendent Htay Aung, the secretary of the Township Administration Body and police members, Police Sub-inspector Sai Min from the office of the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone Police Command, police members from Taunggyi Anti-Drugs Squad-25, Tatmadaw members from Hopong, officials from the Township General Administration Department, Agriculture Department, Fire Services Department, Department of Land Records, Department of Forest and Department of Health jointly eradicated 12 acres of poppy fields located about two furlongs west of Pankhat Village in Hopong Township, the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone of Southern Shan State.

Poppy plantations in Hopong Township have been destroyed since 16 December last year in Hopong Township, and as of January 7 this year, a total of 99 acres of opium plantations have been eradicated, and the remaining poppy plantations will continue to be destroyed.—IPRD

Translated by JT