COLOMBIA BOOKING SUCCESS IN ANTI-COCAINE OFFENSIVE

LA ESPERANZA, COLOMBIA Buoyed by unexpected success in fumigating coca
crops, a U.S.-financed offensive is targeting clandestine jungle labs in
search-and-destroy missions in the heart of the world's main
cocaine-producing region.

Colombian army troops, trained by Green Berets and guided by spy-plane and
satellite technology, have encountered only light skirmishes with leftist
rebels and rival right-wing paramilitary gunmen who earn millions of
dollars from "taxing" the cocaine industry in southern Colombia.

U.S. officials say it is too early to declare victory, but the Colombian
operations commander says rebel vows to combat the offensive have proved empty.

"We had expected tough fights when we went into these places. We thought
they would shoot down our helicopters and planes. But the engagements have
been routine," Colombian army Gen. Mario Montoya told reporters Monday at
Tres Esquinas army base, where U.S.-intelligence experts interpret
satellite imagery for mission planning.

Montoya then flew into the war zone to direct the demolition of a lab that
produced millions of dollars worth of cocaine. After showing journalists
the lab -- hidden in a stand of jungle growth and containing packages of
purified cocaine, processing chemicals, microwave ovens and an electrical
generator -- Montoya's men placed explosive charges inside it and retreated
into the middle of a coca field.

"One, two, three!" Montoya called out. At three, a soldier pressed a
detonator, triggering a deafening explosion that enveloped the drug lab in
a fireball. It sent a column of black smoke into the air, where helicopter
gunships circled overhead like raptors seeking their prey

Rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, had overseen
the operation, which was capable of refining 2,200 pounds of cocaine per
week, according to Montoya.