Cocaine Production Down in Colombia, Up in Bolivia and Peru

The U.N. Office of Drugs and Crime is reporting a sharp drop in cocaine production in Colombia -- down 28% in 2008 over the previous year. Apparently the value of the coca leaf has been dropping, due to (what's this?) decreasing demand from the world's main coke markets, making the crop less attractive to farmers. Also, increased law enforcement both locally and internationally has disrupted the cocaine trade quite seriously, with 200 tons of cocaine seized in 2008 -- up 57% from 2007. In the face of Colombia's slacking, Bolivia and Peru have upped their production of the booger sugar 9 and 4% respectively. They don't call it Bolivian marching powder for nothin!