The Peruvian Interior Ministry's Special Project for Control and Reduction of Illegal Crops in Alto Huallaga (CORAH) eradicated 8,858 hectares (ha) of coca plantations in the past three months, the institution informed on Tuesday.
According to CORAH,
anti-drug operations also razed 14 drug labs and prevented the production —and subsequent smuggling— of more than 68 tons of high-purity cocaine.
The stings were conducted in 17 locations scattered across rainforest Ucayali and central Huanuco regions such as Campo Verde, Neshuya, Padre Abad, Aucayacu, Cachicoto, Curimana and Irazola.
CORAH also reported the destruction of 4,037 coca seedlings that were meant to expand coca fields.
Most coca fields eradicated were located in Irazola (1,180 ha) and Padre Abad (1,177.06 ha) in Ucayali region, which also recorded the highest number of drug labs discovered and destroyed.
In the July 7-9 period alone, 375.44 ha were eradicated in coca-growing Campo Verde, Neshuya, Padre Abad and Aucayacu.
(END) NDP/MAO/DHT/MVB