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A Look at Major Drug-Producing Countries
By The Associated Press – 1 hour ago

Countries the Bush administration identified as major drug producers or hubs for drug transit:

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Afghanistan — It grew 93 percent of opium poppy in the world in 2007, which was the second record-setting year in a row. The export value of this harvest was $4 billion, which is more than a third of the country's combined gross domestic product.

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The Bahamas — It is a transit hub for moving cocaine from South America and marijuana from Jamaica. The country's police force seized $7.8 million in drug-related cash, five vessels and a plane in 2007. Other officials seized 1,389 pounds of cocaine and approximately 56 tons of marijuana.

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Bolivia — It is the third-largest producer of cocaine in the world, accounting for an estimated 127 tons. It also is a transit point from cocaine from Peru and a grower of marijuana that is mostly consumed within the country. It is legal to grow up to 29,652 acres of coca leaf for traditional uses, an allotment that the nation's government may increase.

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Brazil — Brazil is a major transport hub for cocaine base and cocaine hydrochloride, and to a lesser extent a hub for heroin. In 2007 the nation's federal police seized 14 tons of cocaine hydrochloride, 2,019 pounds of cocaine base, 1,076 pounds of crack, 169 tons of marijuana and 35 pounds of heroin.

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Burma — It is the world's second largest producer of opium poppy, and cultivation increased in 2007 after dropping steadily between 1998 and 2006. The increase is slight, however, in comparison with production before 1998. It was one of two countries the administration designated as having "failed demonstrably" to meet its counternarcotics agreements over the year.

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Colombia — Colombia, the world's number one cocaine supplier, is also a major supplier of heroin and precursor chemicals. In 2007 the government seized 144 tons of cocaine and 350,000 gallons of precursor chemicals. It also destroyed 240 cocaine hydrochloride labs and 2,875 coca base labs.

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Dominican Republic — It is a major transit country for cocaine and heroin from South America. In 2007 the country's authorities seized approximately 4 tons of cocaine, 226 pounds of heroin, 17,902 units of MDMA and 1,128 pounds of marijuana.

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Ecuador — It is a major transit point for cocaine, heroin and precursor chemicals. In 2007 the government seized 25 tons of cocaine, 397 pounds of heroin and 1,631 pounds of cannabis. It also identified cocaine laboratories and plots of coca plants.

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Guatemala — It is a major transit hub for cocaine and heroin from South America. Although it is not a major producer, poppy cultivation has begun to rise.

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Haiti — It is a major hub for transportation of cocaine from South America and marijuana from the Caribbean. In 2007 smuggling using small aircraft from Venezuela increased 38 percent and 29 illicit landing strips were identified. Fast boats also arrive on the southern coast transporting cocaine from South America.

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India — It is a hub for heroin transport. Drugs are smuggled from Burma, and hashish and marijuana are smuggled from Nepal. Most heroin produced within India is used domestically, but a growing amount is being shipped overseas. India is the only country the international community has authorized to produce opium gum for pharmaceutical uses.

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Jamaica — It is the largest producer of marijuana and marijuana-derived products in the Caribbean. It is also a major hub for drug transit. Marijuana seizures decreased by 8 percent in 2007 to 46 tons. Cocaine seizures also decreased in 2007.

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Laos — The country had record low levels of opium cultivation in 2007. But Southeast Asian heroin, amphetamine-type stimulants and narcotic precursor chemicals also travel through Laos to other countries in the region.

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Mexico — Approximately 90 percent of all cocaine consumed in the United States travels through Mexico. The country is also a source of heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana. In 2007 Mexican officials intercepted more than 52 tons of cocaine, 2,396 tons of marijuana, 643 pounds of opium gum, 656 pounds of heroin and 1,981 pounds of methamphetamines.

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Nigeria — It is home to major drug trafficking networks that move cocaine and heroin to developed countries. Between January and September 2007 Nigerian officials seized 101,272 pounds of cannabis, 571 pounds of cocaine, 189 pounds of heroin and 450 pounds of psychotropic substances.

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Pakistan — It is a major hub for transportation of opiates and hashish from Afghanistan. It also saw an increase in poppy cultivation to about 5,720 acres, up from 4,715 acres the previous year. More than 1,482 acres were eradicated.

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Panama — Panama is a key transport hub for drugs coming from Colombia. In 2007 the government seized 66 tons of cocaine, including the largest recorded maritime seizure of 17 tons in March.

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Paraguay — It is the largest marijuana producer in South America. It is also a transit route for cocaine produced in the Andes. In 2007 the government seized 1,808 pounds of cocaine, 100 metric tons of marijuana and 18 vehicles.

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Peru — It is a major producer of cocaine and a big importer of precursor chemicals. In 2007 the government eradicated 27,322 acres of coca. An additional 2,511 were eradicated voluntarily.

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Venezuela — It is one of the key routes for drugs coming out of Colombia. In 2007 drug seizures in Venezuela dropped, but third-country seizures of drugs coming out of Venezuela rose. It was one of two countries the administration designated as having "failed demonstrably" to meet its counternarcotics agreements.

Source: State Department