About 3,500 illegally grown opium poppy plants have been found in Uzbekistan as a result of an inspection done with a helicopter as part of an operation codenamed "Black Poppy-2007", the head of the press service of the Uzbek National Security Service, Olimjon Toraqulov, told a Regnum news agency correspondent today, 31 May.

A total of 3,300 opium poppy plants growing on 75 square metres of land were found in the homestead of a citizen Murod Elmurodov living in Polati village in [southern] Qashqadaryo region’s Koson District.

Moreover, another 103 opium poppy plants were found inside a greenhouse in the backyard of Qurbonsuluv Xudoyberdiyeva living in Qashqadaryo Region’s Chiroqchi District.

Criminal cases have been opened against these persons under articles "Cultivation of banned plants", and investigations are under way.