COCAINE PRODUCTION

Cocaine production begins by placing coca leaves in a pit along with kerosene and acid.  The mixture is then stomped and crushed into a thick liquid.  The liquid residue is dried in the sun to produce cocaine paste (shown at bottom left).  The paste is converted into cocaine hydrochloride (bottom right) and is then smuggled into the United States.

Cocaine hydrochloride can be sniffed or injected but decomposes when heated.  In the United States, the cocaine may be converted into free base or crack (rock) and in these forms can be smoked.  The cocaine paste can be smoked, but it is full of kerosene and acid and, while cheap, is not very popular.

Smoking crack produces the most rapid and intense high of any form of cocaine, but the high lasts only a few minutes.  Smoking crack gets the maximum amount of drug to the brain in the shortest time.  However, it also produces the most intense low and is the quickest way to addiction.

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