Severe drought reduces illegal marijuana and opium planting in Northern Mexico. The drought afflicti

(6 Feb 2012) HEADLINE: Mexico drought so bad, even drug trade affected CAPTION: Severe drought reduces illegal marijuana and opium planting in Northern Mexico. The drought afflicting the area is described as the worst in 70 years. (Feb. 1) [Location - Date:CULIACAN, MEXICO/JAN 30] [Source:APTN] [VOICE-OVER] TRACK#1 MEXICO'S SEVERE DROUGHT IS TAKING A TOLL ON THE ILLEGAL DRUG TRADE. THE DROUGHT IS DESCRIBED AS MEXICO'S WORST IN 70 YEARS. IT HAS LEFT TWO MILLION ACRES OF CROPS WITHERED AND CLOSE TO TWO MILLION FARM ANIMALS DEAD. NOW, A MEXICAN ARMY COMMANDER SAYS THE NORMALLY WELL-TENDED MARIJUANA AND OPIUM POPPIES IN THE NORTH OF THE COUNTRY ARE DISAPPEARING. GENERAL PEDRO GURROLA SAYS DRUG PLANTING IS SIGNIFICANTLY DOWN IN THE STATE OF SINALOA, THE HOME BASE OF THE SINALOA DRUG CARTEL. THE GENERAL SAYS ARMY SURVEILLANCE FLIGHTS HAVE DETECTED FEWER ILLEGAL CROPS THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS, ALTHOUGH GROWERS ARE CHANELLING WHATEVER WATER THEY CAN FIND TO THEIR CROPS. THE DROUGHT STARTED IN THE FALL, QUICKLY TAKING A TOLL ON FARMERS IN NORTHERN MEXICO AS WELL AS IN TEXAS. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. APTN STORY NUMBER: 725811 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...