Shimla, May 8 : Himachal Pradesh police has destroyed opium worth crores of rupees in the international market near the state capital Shimla.

The Police claimed that it had destroyed illegal poppy cultivation of over 175 hectares.

Farmers admitted to resorting to opium cultivation, as facilities for growing other crops were inadequate.

" We began opium farming a few days back. We used to earn our livelihood through this, but now the government has completely destroyed it," said Geeta Nand, a farmer.

As per the international market rate, the cost of the destroyed opium crop is worth over 4000 crore rupees.

India is considered a major conduit for opium smuggling with links to Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. (ANI)