The General Command of the Colombian Armed Forces busted a huge cocaine laboratory. The laboratory, located inside nine buildings, was located in the small town of Francisco Pizarro, in the department of Nariño.
During the operation, the military also discovered and destroyed 1,555 kilograms of cocaine hydrochloride, 1,375 kilograms of solid chemical precursors, 12,500 liters of liquid chemical precursors, 4,500 liters of liquid fertilizer, 600 kilograms of dry fertilizer, a boat and communications equipment.
It is reported that the destroyed laboratory belonged to members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.
In addition, the military was able to detain two people and rescue two minors who were forced to work in the laboratory. It is common practice in Colombia for teenagers to be forced to work in such laboratories for three to four months, forcing them to process coca paste, crystallize cocaine hydrochloride, press and package the drug.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's report, Survey of Illicit Crop Areas, cocaine hydrochloride laboratories are now more massive than before. Thus, as of 2019, Colombia has eliminated laboratories capable of producing up to 5 tons of cocaine per month.
In total, since 2019, Colombian authorities have dismantled more than 331 cocaine hydrochloride processing laboratories, according to the Colombian Narcotics Observatory's state website. Most of these laboratories are found near the border with Ecuador and on the eastern border with Venezuela.
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Source: https://dialogo-americas.com/articl...h-more-than-1-5-tons-of-cocaine/#.YbnCBWhByUk