In April 2023, the area planted with coca seedlings in Colombia reached a historical maximum and then began to decline, but by the end of the year another 7% increase was recorded. This was announced by the country’s Minister of Defense Ivan Velazquez Gomez, writes TASS.
Operational data on coca cultivation areas (SIIMA) were provided by the National Police at 4-month intervals starting from 23 April, when cocaine was recorded. recording level There was a gradual decline at 259,212 hectares. By the end of December, the area had fallen to 246,693 hectares, Velazquez wrote on his Twitter blog.
According to the presented graph, while there was a 7% increase during the year, the area under coca cultivation has increased 2.5 times in the last 4 years.
More than 90% of the world’s coca plantations are located in the so-called Andean drug triangle, which includes Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. Coca is grown in small quantities on plantations in Panama, Ecuador, southwestern Venezuela, and northeastern Brazil.
Every year, hundreds of tons of cocaine are shipped from South America to the United States, the continent’s main and largest drug market, and to European ports.
Previously in Bolivia seen State company for growing and processing coca.