The Taliban’s supreme leader ordered a ban on the cultivation of opium and heroin in Afghanistan on Sunday, warning that authorities would destroy any crops discovered and punish those responsible.

Afghanistan is by far the world’s largest poppy producer, and production and exports have increased significantly in recent years.

“All Afghans have been informed, poppy cultivation is strictly prohibited throughout the country,” says a decree by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

According to Islamic law, it is said that “in case of violation of the Decree Law, the crop will be destroyed immediately and the criminals will be treated according to the provisions of Sharia”.

According to the UN, between 80% and 90% of the world’s heroin and opium comes from Afghanistan.

The area devoted to this crop hit a record in 2017, with 250,000 hectares four times more than in the 1990s.