Colombia's share of cocaine production plummets: Govt
Posted
Colombia's share of the world production of cocaine has dropped by more than half over the past six years, National Police Chief Oscar Naranjo said on Thursday (local time).
Mr Naranjo, speaking at an anti-drug summit, said that in 2002, when President Alvaro Uribe first took office, Colombia produced 90 per cent of the world's cocaine - but that has dropped today to 54 per cent.
"That remains high," Mr Naranjo acknowledged.
"Those results allow the country to look forward with optimism."
Mr Naranjo said the drop in production was due to intense coca crop eradication efforts, destruction of cocaine laboratories, and persecution of drug organisations.
The figures have been certified by the United Nations and other international groups, Mr Naranjo said.
Over the past six years Colombia's armed forces have eradicated more than a million hectares of illegal crops, mainly coca and heroin, Mr Naranjo said.
According to Colombian police, in the first quarter of 2008 some 74 tonnes of cocaine were seized.
- AFP
