Press Release

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(Washington, D.C.)—John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), announced that in 2005 the Government of Mexico once again eradicated large quantities of marijuana and opium poppy. Mexico's annual campaign to eradicate the illegal crops cause a major reduction in the amount of marijuana and heroin that would otherwise be available for export, primarily to the United States.

Mexico eradicated about 21,600 hectares (51,840 acres) of opium poppy and 30,840 hectares (76,175 acres) of marijuana. Eradication of both drug crops surpassed the amount eradicated in 2004. Opium poppy eradication achieved the highest total since at least 1998. Effect of the crop elimination will be to reduce Mexico's estimated pure heroin production capacity to about eight metric tons, down from nine metric tons last year. Marijuana potential production fell slightly from last year to about 10,100 metric tons.

"It is exceedingly difficult to find and eradicate these illegal crops," said ONDCP Director John Walters. "Mexico has consistently assigned thousands of its military and law enforcement personnel to this difficult and dangerous task. At times during the year there have been as many as 35,000 troops in the field eradicating marijuana and opium. Mexico's ongoing commitment to this task is another indication of the seriousness with which they approach the threat of illegal drugs, and the depth of their resolve to end illegal drug production in their country."