by Marcus Brooks

Created on: May 19, 2008   Last Updated: November 15, 2008

During the late 80s and 90s, our American government attempted to stem drug-trafficking. Cocaine consumption exploded to an outrageous 80% of the world's total usage. Addicts popped up from anywhere. From the inner cities to Wall Street, drug abuse was rampant and slowly destroying the social fabric of this country.

In response, Congress allegedly signed off on military operations in Peru and Colombia. Drug Enforcement agents (DEA) trained Peruvian and Colombian military and special police to go the two nations' largest, criminal organizations. Peru's Shining Path and Colombia's Medellin cartel were responsible for shipping tons of illicit drugs, including cocaine to America for decades. Both groups murdered tens of thousands of people. Police officers, prosecutors, judges and politicians died at the hands of hit men and paramilitary death squads. When the U.S. got militarily involved, drug lords were finally captured or killed. However, billions in federal monies were wasted and civilian deaths here and abroad skyrocketed. Unfortunately, similar scenarios are being played out in Bolivia and Afghanistan.

Since Colombia's Pablo Escobar was killed (1993), Bolivia took its place of being South America's second-largest exporter of cocaine. Along with the Mexican drug gangs and the Cali cartel (Colombia), over 80% of the world's cocaine is still arriving from Latin America. As of this time, the federal government has no Drug Enforcement agents operating in Bolivia. Exporting illicit drugs supported the poor nation's economy. But the numbers and senseless violence are nowhere near the ghastly figures of twenty years ago. Apparently, impoverished Indians living around the countryside are responsible for harvesting coca plants and getting the coca processed. Until, issues change, the U.S. government won't intervene.

In Afghanistan, a far different storyline unfolded. Before 9/11, the Taliban regime prohibited drug-dealing. The crime was punishable by death and many offenders suffered the ultimate penalty. Nevertheless, the Arab nation's support of Osama Bin Laden's Al Qaida terror network made them a target for President Bush. After coalition forces overthrew the Taliban, Afghan, drug traffickers operated with total freedom. They exported thousands of kilograms of heroin and hashish (marijuana). They established markets throughout Asia and Europe before opening up shop on America's East Coast. The monetary totals from international, drug trafficking were insurmontable.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>