Drug Trafficking
in Colombia
Coca processing

Click on the pictures
 
 

Coca planting causes deforestation.
 Coca bush grows up to 8 feet.

 
 
A coca leaf picker is called a "raspachin."
Cement powder sprinkled on leaves to make coca base.

 
 
Leaves are mixed with gasoline to extract cocaine.
Coca leaf with dark spots showing extractions.

 
Caustic soda powder added after draining gasoline
to separate the water from the rest of the solution.
Coca strained from a solution of sulfuric acid and
urea, leaving behind a grey paste of coca base. 

 
 
 Coca base is then crystallized into powder cocaine.
A farmer weighs coca in La Machaca, Colombia.