Honduran police find huge marijuana plantation

(Reuters; 12/03/98)

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Honduran police have stumbled on
the biggest marijuana plantation found in the past decade in the Central
American country, an official said on Thursday.

Police spokesman Hector Mejia said five peasants were captured and accused
of planting 203,000 marijuana plants in the region of Urrutia, 50 miles (80
km) east of the capital Tegucigalpa.

"We seized 203,000 marijuana plants, 31 sacks full of drugs, 75 pounds of
seed," Mejia said.

Honduran anti-drug officials say many impoverished peasants are turning to
marijuana cultivation and away from traditional corn and bean planting
because of higher prices for the drugs, some of which is exported to
neighbouring countries.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski