Coca raised for tea ends up in global cocaine trade
Coca that is leagally cultivated in Colombia ends up in the global cocaine trade, according to the Washington Post.
Here in the lush Yungas region of western Bolivia, farmers are allowed by law to plant a total of nearly 30,000 acres of coca — leaf that is then sold in the domestic market for tea or [...]
Drug trafficking issue causing diplomatic problems with US and Venezuela
The war of words over drug trafficking is creating additional diplomatic problems between the United States and Venezuela.
From the AP (via Google News):
President Hugo Chavez’s insistence that Venezuela doesn’t need U.S. help in fighting drug trafficking is raising diplomatic tensions as American officials warn of a surge in cocaine flights out of the country.
New surveillance [...]
Coca cultivation in Colombia increased 27 percent in 2007
Source: “The unstoppable crop,” The Economist, June 21, 2008, page 50.
Cocaine travels through Venezuela: US Drug Czar
United States Drug Czar John Walters told the Associated Press that Venezuela is not taking steps to stop the flow of cocaine through its country.
From the AP (via IHT):
The U.S. drug czar appealed to Venezuela’s government on Friday to take action against the flourishing flow of cocaine being smuggled through the country.
White House drug czar John [...]
Man who sent 550 tons of cocaine to US is extradited
After sending 550 tons of cocaine to the United States over several years, a drug lord from Colombia is extradited to the United States.
From the AP (via Google News):
Colombian drug lord Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia was extradited to the United States on Friday to face racketeering charges, a year after he was captured in a [...]
530 to 710 tonnes of cocaine enter the US through Mexico each year
Source: The Economist, “Marching as to war,” February 2, 2008.
Colombian drug war continues in mountains
Although the Colombian government has had a string of recent successes against the FARC, the war against the guerrilla army is far from over.
From the International Herald Tribune:
Soaring coca cultivation, forced disappearances, assassinations, the displacement of families and the planting of land mines stubbornly persist, the hallmarks of a backlands conflict that threatens to drag [...]
United States is Number 1
The United States leads the world with the highest levels of use in cocaine and marijuana.
From Web MD (Via CBS News):
Despite tough anti-drug laws, a new survey shows the U.S. has the highest level of illegal drug use in the world.
The World Health Organization’s survey of legal and illegal drug use in 17 countries, including [...]
Coca production rises in Colombia
The United Nations reported on Wednesday that Coca cultivation in Colombia has risen in the past year despite intensive efforts by the Colombian Government and the United States.
From BBC News:
The UN’s office on drugs and crime (UNODC) says the increase is “a surprise and a shock” given Colombia’s efforts to destroy coca crops.
The US has [...]
Impact of disparity of crack cocaine sentencing
The Washington Post has a report on the impact of sentencing crack cocaine dealers to long sentences.
From the Washington Post:
On days like this, he wished the past were a room with a door you could close, a place you could walk away from, as he had walked away from prison after President Bush commuted his [...]
