Peru to Become Top Producer of Cocaine After Colombian Decline

[Bacchus4.0]

Source: Andean Air Mail & PERUVIAN TIMES

August 9, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Peru is expected to become the world’s undisputed leader in cocaine production this year, as the United Nations confirms that output from neighboring Colombia has fallen sharply.

During most of the past decade Peru was the second biggest producer of coca, the raw material used to make cocaine, behind Colombia. However, output has been expanding steadily in Peru, while declining in Colombia.

In 2011, Peru and Colombia were virtually tied as the world’s biggest producers. However, that is sure to change in 2012, as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported that the amount of Colombian territory used to produce coca declined 25 percent to 48,000 hectares from 64,000 hectares the previous year.

“The impact of the government efforts to eradicate illicit coca crop is visible,” said the UNODC’s representative in Colombia, Bo Mathiasen. The UN said that it is less lucrative for Colombian farmers to plant coca than in previous years, while the government has manually eradicated thousands of hectares of crops and sprayed thousands more.



Read more: http://www.peruviantimes.com/09/peru-to-become-top-producer-of-cocaine-after-colombian-decline/19917/

[enlightenment]

1. Not exactly the sort of thing

you'd put on at the top of an economic development prospectus.

sheesh.

[Richard D]

2. A big difficulty in Peru and Bolivia

Is that coca leaf is a huge part of the culture and religion. So the population is quite against the kind of eradication efforts that worked in Colombia. Coca leaf is not a drug, but a sacred medicine to the indigenous populations.

[snooper2]

3. As long as the quality doesn't go down

LOL

around 180 degree right