Pubdate: Wed, 14 Feb 2001
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2001 Cox Interactive Media.
Contact:  72 Marietta Street, NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30303
Website: http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/
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Author: Andrew Selsky, Associated Press

CRACKDOWN ON COCA MEETS LITTLE RESISTANCE

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 have worked with 
the Colombian military in a heavily guarded Joint Intelligence Center.

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.

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

The counterdrug offensive began on Dec. 19 and has resulted in the aerial 
fumigation of some 72,000 acres of coca, according to Colombian and U.S. 
officials. At least 123,000 acres of coca is believed to still exist.

Montoya, whose troops and helicopters protect crop dusters from enemy 
gunfire, said 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.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart