"This is the first phase. Obviously, there was a response from some coca growers who have an interest in preserving this practice because most of these illegal plantations are derived from drug trafficking", Moran said on Tuesday, as quoted by the Peruvian state Andina news agency.
According to Moran, a total of 25,526 hectares (98.5 square miles, or over 63,000 acres) of illegal coca were destroyed this year.
Ministro #CarlosMorán: Quiero saludar a los policías, militares y trabajadores del CORAH que con su trabajo, sacrificio y dedicación han permitido superar la meta de erradicar más de 25 mil hectáreas de cultivos ilegales de hoja de coca en el 2019. pic.twitter.com/8jBDqetUXb
— Mininter Perú (@MininterPeru) December 10, 2019
The Peruvian interior minister said that the government plans to continue with the measure next year.
Además, se erradicó 15 008 parcelas de plantaciones de coca ilegal; 7 358 metros cuadrados de almácigos de hojas de coca; y se destruyó 12 laboratorios de producción de droga. pic.twitter.com/60LMFXS2JX
— Mininter Perú (@MininterPeru) December 10, 2019
According to the United Nations, Colombia is the world's biggest producer of coca, which is the primary ingredient in cocaine production.
Peru is the world's second-largest cocaine producer after Colombia, according to US estimates.
