Coca-leaf cultivation has increased significantly in Peru through 2021 due to higher international demand for cocaine, said Ricardo Soberón, president of the government’s National Commission for Development and Life Without Drugs (Devida).
Devida is the government’s drug control agency and reports to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
The head of Devida pointed out that between 2020 and 2021, 18,904 more hectares will be registered in Peru to cultivate coca leaves for cocaine production.
He also explained that the demand for cocaine had increased more due to the behavior of the illegal markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and France.