WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. drug czar says cocaine production in Colombia has declined by 25 percent in the last year.
Gil Kerlikowske (kur-lih-KOW'-skee), director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, says a U.S. government survey of drug production also shows that Colombian cocaine production has declined by 72 percent since 2001. He says the decline is largely the result of Plan Colombia, a program largely funded by the U.S. to help the Colombia government crack down on a left-wing insurgency and drug organizations.
Kerlikowske says a greater government presence around the country, focused eradication efforts and a law enforcement focus on drug operations have contributed to the production decline.
Colombia now ranks third, behind Peru and Bolivia, in production of pure cocaine.
