Guerillas, Indians, Lost Cities, and a Cocaine Lab

South America » Colombia » Santa Marta » Ciudad Perdida
July 12th 2007

Published: August 17th 2007

A trip to ancient Tayrona Indians’ Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) is more like a journey to another world. It’s an intense 6-day uphill trek that can only be described as unique. On the way up through seemingly boundless dense rainforest one can easily why this country is such an easy place for guerillas to hide. Fortunately, this is now one of the areas that are back in the control of the Colom... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 40, Displayed: 21

Indians

On the Way to the Cocaine Lab

The Lab

Not quite what we were expecting, but this small workshop is all he needs to make the stuff, and it is difficult enough to be seen from the air.

The Lab

Cocaine Recipe for Only 900 grams of Cocaine

Take 1000 kilograms of coca leaves and grind them up until...

Cocaine Recipe for Only 900 grams of Cocaine

...you have something that looks like this.

Cocaine Recipe for Only 900 grams of Cocaine

Mix in 20kg of salt and 20kg of calcium powder.

Cocaine Recipe for Only 900 grams of Cocaine

Stir in 120 litres of gasoline(!) as well as sulphuric acid!

Cocaine Recipe for Only 900 grams of Cocaine

Add Iodine and...

Cocaine Recipe for Only 900 grams of Cocaine

...Filter through a cotton cloth until...

Cocaine Recipe for Only 900 grams of Cocaine

...the liquid loses its colour and the petrol smell disappears.

Cocaine Recipe for Only 900 grams of Cocaine

Finally, add in caustic soda. This step is usually not done by the lab owner, but rather left for the mafiosos to do. The reason - caustic soda is also used by the guerillas (to make bombs) and if they find out there is someone in the jungle with large quantities of this useful stuff, you can expect a visit from them pretty soon.

Cocaine Recipe for Only 900 grams of Cocaine

Finally, filter through again to obtain the cocaine paste.

Cocaine Paste

Every 3 months he strips the leaves from the coca plant and produces 3kg of this stuff, and sells it on for about $1 000/kilo. Once the end product hits the market in the powdered form it can go for around $30 000/kilo!

Cocaine Paste

Ready to smoke if you are crazy enough to still get near the stuff after knowing all the crap that goes into making it!

I Think You´re Crraaaaazzzy!

19th August 2007

anonymous
non-member comment

Tom that sounds like good business... is that one of the ideas you've come up with lately ?

19th August 2007

Lior
non-member comment

U forgot 2 add the photos of u and liba with the cocaine smokes in ur mouths :P

4th September 2007

Anoushka
non-member comment

Tom and Liba!! This is amazing! Im so impressed with the whole trip. Youve inspired me. When did you guys start and how much longer will you guys be doing this for?

20th June 2008

barrygahan
Barry

Can't wait for trek!
Loved your phots and descriptions of the trek. We're doing this hike tomorrow, it looks great.

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Guerillas, Indians, Lost Cities, and a Cocaine Lab

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