Iran: May 3, 2002

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It's Spring, and the drug smugglers are having an easier time making it through remote mountain passes on the Iran-Afghan border. In addition, the fighting between rival tribes has died down, apparently because disputes over who controlled what have been settled. So the drug smuggling is on the increase and the Iranian army and police have also increased their patrols. Often, it's a game of hide and seek at night, with the smugglers often hiding out during the day. Many smugglers pay, or terrorize, Iranians villagers for support. Drug use is rising in Iran, the anti-drug troops on the Afghan border know it and go to their work with some enthusiasm. The drugs that get through