IRKUTSK, June 18 (Itar-Tass) - State turnover of poppy seeds will be introduced in Belarus in early autumn, Interior Minister Igor Shunevich of the republic told journalists commenting on the results of the a meeting of the Joint Board of the Interior Ministries of the Union State.
“In the near future, a legislative act, limiting the free import and sale of poppy seeds in our territory will be adopted,” he said. The minister explained that this decision was adopted in connection with the growing threat on the part of the drug crime which uses the unlimited import of poppy seeds to produce on their basis drug substances. In this connection, the Belarussian Interior Ministry came out with a legislative initiative of limiting turnover.
“The essence of the law consists in the fact that the state will define the amount of poppy seeds necessary for import. Sanctions for violations of corresponding norms are also envisaged. As a matter of fact, state turnover (of poppy seeds) is introduced,” Shunevich said.
“The legislative act will be adopted not later than September of the current year,” the Belarussian interior minister said.