This oxidizing chemical plays a key role in the production of cocaine hydrochloride, specifically in the purification stage of the drug.
A significant damage to the link of the drug trafficking chain was caused in the last few hours by a military operation carried out by troops of the Command Against Drug Trafficking and Transnational Threats, CONAT, finding 7,693 kilos of potassium permanganate, with which the production of 15 tons of cocaine hydrochloride would be carried out.
The military operation was carried out jointly with the Colombian Aerospace Force and the Colombian Navy and coordinated with the National Police, in the village Comuna 2, of the municipality of Puerto Asís, department of Putumayo, where 2 rudimentary constructions used for the production of potassium permanganate were found by troops and destroyed in controlled conditions.
In addition to this chemical substance, 1,460 kilos of solid precursors and 400 gallons of liquid precursors were found by troops at the site. Through this result of the military operation, significant damage is caused to the illegal activities of organized armed groups outlaw, for a cost of 550 million pesos, equivalent to more than 130,000 US dollars.
The systematic practice of adapting rustic structures such as laboratories to produce drugs continues to damage the environment and water sources, with the use of chemicals used to obtain coca base paste or cocaine hydrochloride.
Source: Press – National Army
