COLOMBIAN WORKERS MIX GASOLINE WITH COCA LEAVES TO MAKE COCAINE BASE, 1997-12-24 (photo)

FOR RELEASE WITH FEATURE DRUGS-COLOMBIA-COCA - Two laborers mix gasoline with leaves from the coca plant in part of the process to turn them into cocaine base, the unrefined precursor of pure cocaine, on a small farm in a jungle region of southern Colombia. The base is produced in a rustic process that involves mixing the leaves with cement and fertilizer, soaking them in gasoline and then separating the alkaloid from the gasoline with sulfuric acid and baking soda. About 55 gallons of gasoline are needed to make 2.2 pounds (1 kg) of base which in turn makes a little less than one kilo of pure cocaine. Picture taken 13DEC97. kp/Photo by Karl Penhaul. DRUGS COLOMBIA COCA