COCAINE SOURCE

The coca plant grows high in the Andean mountains along the western coast of South America (shown by the dark green area on the map).  The coca leaves are chewed by the Indians of Peru and Bolivia.  They act as a mild stimulant, suppressing the hunger and fatigue that go along with living and working at high altitudes.

It takes 500 pounds of coca leaves, worth about $500, to produce a pound of cocaine.  That pound of cocaine is worth $9,000 in Colombia and $27,000 in the United States.  Once in the United States, the pound of cocaine is cut (diluted) five or six times and is worth about $150,000 when finally sold on the street.

Formerly, cocaine was cut with glucose, lactose, or quinine.  Today it may be cut with talcum power, corn starch, or any other readily available white, powdery substance.

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