NCJ Number
203985
Date Published
2003
Length
116 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of the December 2002 coca survey in Columbia and presents semi-annual estimates for July 2003.
Abstract
During the expansion of illicit coca cultivation in the 1980’s and 1990’s, Columbia emerged as the country with the largest coca growing area and cocaine production in the world. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) Illicit Crop Monitoring Programme (ICMP) was developed to establish methodologies for data collection and analysis, to enhance the local governments’ ability to monitor illicit crops, and to assist the international community in the monitoring illicit crops on their territories. Since 1999, the UNODC has been supporting the implementation of a Columbian Illicit Crop Monitoring System (SIMCI). In order to understand the extent of the coca cultivation problem in Columbia, the 2002 survey analyzed satellite images acquired between August 2002 and January 2003 and then complimented this data with flights over coca growing areas. Results of the survey indicate that by the end of December 2002, approximately 102,000 hectares of coca were being cultivated in 21 out of the 32 Columbia departments. This represents a decrease of 30 percent since November 2001. The most significant coca cultivations reductions occurred between 2001 and 2002 in Putumayo and Caqueta, while cocoa cultivation actually increased in Narino and Guaviare. UNODC estimates that the actual production of cocaine in Columbia during 2002 was 580 metric tons, although the report cautions that this figure is estimated based on the average of cultivation figures from November 2001 and December 2002. The average coca price for 2002 is estimated at U.S. $847/kg, bringing the total potential value of cocaine in Columbia during 2002 to U.S. $491 million. The price of coca base fell steadily during 2002 to reach U.S. $770/kg in December 2002. Data concerning the cultivation of poppy in Columbia during 2002 is also presented. During November 2002, the estimated poppy cultivation was 4,200 hectares, a reduction of about 1,900 compared to 2001. The average price of opium latex in 2002 equaled U.S. $194/kg, representing a 30 percent decrease in price compared to 2001. Estimates for the amount of coca cultivation for July 2003 were derived by combining data sources with statistical procedures by over-flight reconnaissance sampling. The estimate for coca cultivation in July 2003 totals 69.000 has. Maps, figures, tables, appendix