COLOMBIA SEIZES 30 PERCENT MORE COCAINE, HEROIN IN 1998

And sees as many more kidnappings

BOGOTA, Colombia (Reuters) -- Colombian
crime-fighters seized more than 54,000 kilograms (59 tons) of cocaine
and 350 kilograms (770 pounds) of heroin, worth about $1 billion
wholesale in the United States, in record drug hauls in 1998,
according to a police report issued Saturday.

The National Police's annual crime report also revealed that the
Andean nation of 40 million had extended its reputation as the kidnap
capital of the world, with 2,388 reported abductions this year -- a 30
percent surge from 1997.

Police attributed a similar percentage increase in illicit drug
seizures to improved intelligence and better cooperation with
international anti-narcotics agencies.

According to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimates,
Colombia is responsible for 80 percent of the world's cocaine and
supplies about 60 percent of the high-grade heroin sold in the United
States.

The DEA estimates Colombian cocaine fetches about $17,500 per kilogram
(2.2 pounds) wholesale in the United States, while South American
heroin goes for anything between $85,000 and $195,000 for the same
amount.

Despite the demise of the once-powerful Medellin and Cali drug
cartels, Finance Ministry officials calculate between $3 billion and
$5 billion in proceeds from drug trafficking are pumped into
Colombia's economy each year, making drugs the nation's top export
earner, ahead of oil and coffee.

The police made no suggestion that overall narcotics production in
Colombia was on the rise, but the area of land covered with illegal
drug crops has increased over the past two years, according to
official data.

Police stepping up crop eradication program In addition to seizures,
the police said they stepped up an ambitious U.S.-backed drug crop
eradication program and fumigated at least 58,000 hectares (145,000
acres) of coca leaf -- the raw material for cocaine -- and opium
poppies, about 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) more than last year.

But Colombian and U.S. officials say the country still has more than
78,400 hectares (196,000 acres) of drug plantations -- more than
closest rivals Bolivia and Peru.

On the kidnapping question, police gave no ready explanation for the
upsurge. At least 300 of the abduction victims are security personnel
being held by leftist rebels. The guerrillas are demanding the release
of more than 450 of their jailed comrades in exchange for the police
and soldiers.

Authorities blame at least half of the total abductions on Marxist
guerrilla groups, which use ransoms and extortion money to finance
their 30-year-old war against the state.

The London-based Hiscox Group, a leading provider of kidnap and ransom
insurance, said earlier this year that more than half the kidnappings
worldwide were carried out in Colombia.

The number of murders reported across the country in 1998 was down to
26,350, a 9 percent drop from last year, the police said.

But with around 53 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, Colombia still has
one of the highest murder rates in the hemisphere, the vast majority
the result of crime rather than the country's long-running civil war.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady