Hundreds of videos published on TikTok by young Colombians record drug being produced in this South American country, from the fields where coca grows to the laboratories where the leaves are transformed into the drug. Colombia is the largest worldwide producer of both coca and drug. Among these young individuals told our journalists that lots of locals are reliant on coca production to earn a living however that the sector continues to be controlled by narcotraffickers.
Despite the fact that producing coca and cocaine is unlawful in Colombia, many young individuals post videos on TikTok showing their work in the sector. >> > > Read part one of this series: A rare appearance inside a Colombian coca farm and cocaine laboratory, through TikTok (1/2).
3 videos showing coca fields, shot in the department of Cauca. In part one of this series, he described that he works in the coca industry, mostly for monetary factors, in the Putumayo department, which borders Ecuador. With the coca base, on the other hand, we have to offer it directly to these groups.
Hundreds of videos posted on TikTok by young Colombians document cocaine being produced in this South American country, from the fields where coca grows to the labs where the leaves are changed into the drug. Video shot in Colombia, showing the “coca base” in a private lab, a preliminary action in the manufacture of cocaine. Sometimes police or soldiers just pull up some of the coca crops in exchange for moneyAlexander Sanchez from COCCAM says it “isnt legal” for the army and police to only rip up part of a coca field, as Juan described them doing: In theory, they are supposed to destroy all of the coca fields that they find. Video taken from a helicopter, flying over coca crops from 0 16. Video shot in Putumayo, in which a young guy says he harvests coca leaves to earn cash for his sweetheart.
Montage of 2 videos. In the first, soldiers are destroying coca plantations. According to the soldier who published it, it was taken in the department of Caquetá. In the 2nd, released by a policeman, it states “My mother: lets hope they dont send you away to work”, and after that “Eradicating in Putumayo”. © TikTok. Sometimes soldiers or police just pull up a few of the coca crops in exchange for moneyAlexander Sanchez from COCCAM says it “isnt legal” for the army and authorities to just rip up part of a coca field, as Juan explained them doing: In theory, they are supposed to ruin all of the coca fields that they discover. Sometimes they just pull up part of a field if they come to an “arrangement” with the peasants, for example, if they provide them cash. Its theft. However this system implies that peasants do not lose all of their crops, which they depend upon for their livelihood. And when an arrangement isnt possible, in some cases there are clashes. The Colombian police did not react to our request for remark. We will upgrade this article if they do react..
Video shot in Putumayo, in which a young guy says he gathers coca leaves to earn money for his girlfriend. © TikTok.Difficulty in carrying out coca crop substitution programmesIn 2016, the peace deal signed between the federal government and the former guerillas of the FARC consisted of a strategy that would utilize federal government cash to help get individuals to desert coca to grow other crops.
Video shot in Colombia, revealing the “coca base” in a private lab, a preliminary action in the manufacture of drug. © TikTok.That said, even if we are expected to sell all of our items to these groups, we still keep a bit to the side, simply in case. When the groups are combating for control of the area, which takes place typically, they typically pay us late, so we end up short on money. So, often, we sell a few of our wares to groups from Ecuador, who pay better than the Colombians anyway. Now, the rate of a kilogram of coca base is 2,650,000 pesos [ Editors note: 600 euros] There are at least three armed groups operating in Putumayo, according to the Colombian NGO Indepaz and Alexander Sanchez, a social leader based in Putumayo who is the spokesperson for the National Coordination of Coca, Marijuana and Poppy Growers (COCCAM): Frente Carolina Ramírez, the Comandos Bolivarianos de la Frontera (made up of dissidents from the previous FARC guerilla group, which signed a peace arrangement with the federal government in 2016) and La Constru (a paramilitary group). I publish videos on TikTok to reveal people how we grow cocaJuan continued: I publish videos on TikTok to show people how we grow coca, so they can ask concerns. People from other nations sometimes tell me that they would like to purchase land to grow coca. Others ask me the going rate for leaves, how much to pay the workers who collect the leaves or how much I make myself. Some people even compose to me pleading for work. That said, some individuals likewise tell me that what I am doing “isnt excellent which I should not pollute since when we work in the labs, we toss away the poisonous liquids and the coca leaves that are no longer of any use to us. In fact, to that end, armed groups prohibit labs within 50 metres of rivers so as to keep from polluting the water that residents might consume..
Video published by Juan, shot in Putumayo, revealing chemicals and equipment next to a river. The tune accompanying the video states, “Many individuals criticize my life, due to the fact that I make unclean cash, due to the fact that I traffic drugs and send them to the United States […]” © TikTok.I understand that my videos could cause me problem with the police or the army, however so far I havent had any problems. If the authorities or army destroy my crops, I can replant them right awayA couple of months ago, they entered the location to get rid of coca plantations. When they come, its by helicopter, so you can hear them coming. We stop working. Then, they determine the land we are working on and describe that they are going to bring up a few of our crops. Usually, they take 20% of a one hectare plot of land. But if we say well “work together” with them then, they may just take 10%. There are even people who give them money so they do not ruin anything. That said, even if they damage part of the crops, you can replant them best afterwards. When it comes to the laboratories, they can destroy them but they cant burn them for environmental reasons..
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Montage of two videos shot in the Putumayo, revealing the arrival of helicopters. In the second, shots are heard. © TikTok.Police and soldiers also active on TikTok On TikTok, there are likewise videos published by police and soldiers, which show their work to remove coca crops. The Colombian Ministry of Defence has reported that 103,100 hectares were eradicated and more than 5,700 laboratories were damaged in 2021. Because the rightwing President Iván Duque took power in 2018, the federal government has magnified elimination campaigns..
Video shot in Cauca, revealing women collecting coca leaves. © TikTok.
Video taken from a helicopter, flying over coca crops from 0 16., there are currently individuals growing coca along the rivers.
