Paraguay: Massive Marijuana Production amongst Peasants

From lainformacion.com on June 8, 2013- Authorities from the National Anti-Drug Ministry in Paraguay (Senad) have reported that in their country, the largest producer of Marijuana in the region, entire peasant communities on the Paraguay-Brazil border are dedicated to the cultivation of large plantations of the drug. These communities, between 40 and 60 members, engage in drug production in a very open and confidant manner. The extensive fields of eastern Paraguay allow for marijuana to be hidden among common crops like corn or cassava. The limited presence of the state and the complicity of local authorities have contributed to the problem. A ten day operation in May led to the seizure of 142 tons of Marijuana. Only 128 tons were seized in the entirety of 2012. Senad has stated that the poor growers and laborers who run the plantations are not the targets of government operations, but rather the criminal networks like PSC and Comando Vermelho who purchase and distribute the drugs. Read Article