Colombian cocaine production hit record levels in 2017, according to newly released UN statistics. Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine, much of which ends up in the US, which is the world's largest consumer. ccording to the UNODC report, the coca production acreage in Colombia last year was the highest ever recorded level, increasing by 25,000 hectares from 2016. The country has fought for years against cocaine production, with the US providing around $400m annually to assist in Colombia's war on drugs. The country's cocaine trade is still flourishing despite the 2016 peace deal in Colombia , which ended five decades of armed conflict with major rebel group the Farc.

Source: The Star September 20, 2018 03:11 UTC