Colombian police authorities said Monday that they have confiscated 89 tons of narcotics so far in 2011, as well as destroying 69,000 acres of illicit crops and six clandestine airstrips.
Of the 89 tons of narcotics captured this year, 66.5 were of marijuana, with cocaine constituting a large portion of the remaining drug haul, said General Augusto Cesar Pinzon, who was speaking as the Anti-Narcotics Division commemorated 24 years in operation.
Pinzon added that, since the turn of the year, Colombian authorities have also closed down 239 narcotics laboratories and seized around 2 tons of chemicals necessary for drug production.
Defense Minister Rodrigo Rivera heralded the 24-year life of the Anti-Narcotics Division, noting its significant work in dismantling up to 27 organizations dedicated to narco-trafficking but also paying tribute to the 116 policemen who have been killed in anti-narcotics operations.
