Calay News
The Bolivian Ministry of Government announced that 9.2 tons of Peruvian coca leaves were seized for illicit purposes, which represents one of the largest seizures in the country. The Minister of Government, Eduardo del Castillo, informed me that the coca leaves, coming from Peru, were seized by the Bolivian Police.
During a search on a road in the Bolivian Andes, a total of 795 packages or bundles were found in a high-tonnage truck. Although the operation took place in the middle of last week, the official information was only revealed on Monday. The total weight of the seized coca leaves is equivalent to 20,344 pounds, or 9.2 tons.
Minister Del Castillo highlighted that this is one of the most important cases in terms of the seizure of coca leaves within Bolivian territory. It was determined that the leaves were destined for drug trafficking and illegal trade in Bolivia.
While Bolivia has been considered a bridge for trafficking Peruvian cocaine to Brazil and other countries, seizures of coca leaves from Peru were rare.
According to Peru’s National Commission for Development and Life Without Drugs, coca cultivation in the country reached 80,381 hectares in 2021, with approximately 10% going to legal uses such as chewing and infusions.
Peru, according to the United Nations, is among the main coca- and cocaine-producing countries, along with Colombia and Bolivia.
