Pubdate: Wed, 14 Feb 2001
Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer (WA)
Copyright: 2001 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Contact:  P.O. Box 1909, Seattle, WA 98111-1909
Website: http://www.seattle-pi.com/
Author: Andrew Selsky, The Associated Press

TROOPS TARGET COLOMBIAN DRUG LABS

U.S.-Trained Soldiers Carry Out Search-And-Destroy Missions

LA ESPERANZA, Colombia -- Buoyed by unexpected success in fumigating coca 
crops, a U.S.-financed offensive is targeting clandestine jungle labs in 
search-and-destroy missions in the heart of the world's main 
cocaine-producing region.

Colombian army troops, trained by Green Berets and guided by spy-plane and 
satellite technology, have had only light skirmishes with leftist rebels 
and rival right-wing paramilitary gunmen who earn millions of dollars from 
"taxing" the cocaine industry in southern Colombia.

U.S. officials say it is too early to declare victory, but the Colombian 
commander of the operations says rebel vows to combat the offensive have 
proved empty.

"We had expected tough fights when we went into these places. We thought 
they would shoot down our helicopters and planes. But the engagements have 
been routine," Colombian army Gen. Mario Montoya told reporters Monday at 
Tres Esquinas army base, where U.S. intelligence experts interpret 
satellite imagery for mission planning.

Montoya then flew into the war zone to direct the demolition of a lab that 
produced millions of dollars worth of cocaine.

After showing journalists the lab -- hidden in a stand of jungle growth and 
containing packages of purified cocaine, processing chemicals, microwave 
ovens and an electrical generator -- Montoya's men placed explosive charges 
inside it and retreated into the middle of a coca field.

"One, two, three!" Montoya called out. At three, a soldier pressed a 
detonator, triggering a deafening explosion that enveloped the drug lab in 
a fireball.

It sent a column of black smoke into the air, where helicopter gunships 
circled overhead like raptors seeking their prey

Rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, had overseen 
the operation of the lab, which was capable of refining 2,200 pounds of 
cocaine per week, Montoya said.

But the guerrillas were nowhere to be seen as the heavily armed government 
soldiers, their faces smeared with camouflage paint, conducted sweeps into 
the surrounding jungle.

One sweep discovered a stash of 1,100 pounds of "coca paste," or unrefined 
cocaine.

Three men were arrested when the troops first arrived.

Montoya strode through the coca field, M-16 assault rifle in hand, barking 
orders to his troops.

After destroying the lab, along with the chemicals and coca paste, Montoya 
boarded a helicopter and took off for the Tres Esquinas base.

"I am convinced that the military capacity of the FARC is what we have 
seen," Montoya told reporters of the rebel response to the counterdrug 
offensive, which began on Dec. 19 and which has resulted in the aerial 
fumigation of some 72,000 acres of coca, according to Colombian and U.S. 
officials.

The early success has far exceeded planners' expectations. Montoya, whose 
troops and helicopters protect crop dusters from enemy gunfire, said he had 
been charged with destroying some 59,000 acres of coca in two years, a 
target which he surpassed only seven weeks after the so-called "Push into 
the South" offensive began.

A temporary halt to the spraying campaign was declared 10 days ago.

At least 123,000 acres of coca is believed to still exist.

Montoya said his forces' presence on fumigation missions has dramatically 
cut the risk to the crop dusters' pilots, who are subcontracted by the U.S. 
State Department.

Previously, when the crop dusters flew unprotected, a plane was hit by 
bullets on virtually every mission.

Now, less than 1 percent of the planes receive groundfire, Montoya said.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens