Some of the organizations have their roots in the old Medellin and Cali cartels. Source: UNODC (2018 figure is based on claim made by the Colombian government). Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Cocaine is made in three separate chemical processes; first the coca is converted into coca paste, then coca base before it becomes real cocaine. In a few cases, the Colombian groups have maintained direct routes to foreign markets. "The Cali cartel died today," Colombia's national police chief said after Miguel was arrested on August 6, 1995. Colombian drug cartels. The substance is then filtered with more ammonia and washed in water. In Colombia, the coca used to produce cocaine is grown mostly in remote parts of the country where the state has been absent and locals have no access to the legal economy.
She said: "Eight days ago I killed a guy because he wouldn't kill someone else. Once the coca is processed to cocaine, it is trafficked by local drug traffickers, guerrillas and nationally operating groups to either one of the country’s two coastlines, or one of the country’s borders. As well as meeting members of the warring cartels, the group spoke to locals, cocaine farmers and the authorities, who revealed a devastating number of children will be drawn into a life of crime. Most of Colombia’s current drug trafficking organizations were formed a decade ago by mid-level commanders of state-aligned paramilitary groups that were active between the 1980s and the early 2000s. The converting of coca leaves into coca paste is mainly done by the farmers and to a lesser extent by the drug trafficking organizations. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Not when I was a little girl, but from the age of 15 I've loved seeing things fall down around me.". While another said: "This #DoingDrugsForFun programme was good....... hope they run the programme again in 10 years when some of them are bankrupt, lost their families and have got serious mental health issues. The export of cocaine is supervised by transnational crime organizations that do business with foreign crime organizations, particularly Mexican cartels. Nevertheless, according to Colombia’s Defense Ministry, more than 150 tons of cocaine is seized annually. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click here. View our online Press Pack. The Colombian laid bare the brutal cost of the drug trade in the country and even told how she killed her own cousin after being drawn into the cartel aged 15. "I love the madness. There's no turning back.". Those kids who aren't forced into joining the cartels will be trafficked for sexual purposes. The traffickers bribe security forces, politicians and judicial authorities to protect their routes, and secure the continuity of their business. Colombian gangs are shipping a cheap, unrefined form of the drug known as coca base, according to General Luis Ramirez, head of the nation’s anti-narcotics police. Get today's live news on Drug cartels: current events, photos, infographics and Al Jazeera's exclusive stories from eyewitnesses. A FEMALE drugs cartel assassin who gave herself the grisly nickname "The Devil" has revealed how she loves to kill people - including pregnant women. Colombia’s anti-narcotics police say they first became aware of the phenomenon three years ago. The answer, he believes, is that four years ago the Colombian government introduced controls on the importation and sale of precursor chemicals such as potassium permanganate and hydrochloric acid, which has created a shortage. ", Nicole Scherzinger deletes pic after fans say she's showing a baby bump, McDonald’s worker pays customer’s bill after he calls mum to ask for her order, Lee Evans spotted for the first time in two years after quitting showbiz, Suspect who shot cop dead at station during covid check 'known to terror police', McDonald’s worker who paid for lad’s meal has secretly bought food for MONTHS, ©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. They will have foreign partners on the receiving end, more often than not these would be cells or gangs linked to large organized crime organizations.