Coca Cultivation In Belize: An Emerging Issue

Coca, a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine, is ever-abundant in South America. While Belize has been known to be a major transshipment point for cocaine, it is unclear whether coca is grown in the country. However, Belize has found a legal use for coca leaves by using them to brew coca beer. Coca beer is produced by steeping coca leaves in water, similar to the process in a clandestine cocaine lab, but instead, the liquid is used to infuse beer.

Coca beer production

Coca beer, also known as "Colabier" or "Diesel", is a blend of beer and Coca-Cola. The drink is made by mixing the two ingredients in a 50/50 ratio, although some people prefer a higher proportion of beer to reduce the sweetness of the mixture. Coca beer is particularly popular in Germany, where it is available both as a homemade concoction and as a pre-mixed beverage produced by commercial breweries.

The process of making coca beer involves steeping coca leaves in water, similar to the initial steps of cocaine production. However, instead of continuing on the path of creating an illegal narcotic, the liquid extracted from the coca leaves is used to infuse beer. This method of coca beer production is practised in La Paz, Bolivia, with the authorisation of the Bolivian government. The El Viejo Roble distillery in La Paz is a notable producer of coca beer, pricing their product at around $2 per serving.

The rise of coca beer in Belize and Bolivia can be attributed to the recent landmark decision by the World Health Organization to study the non-narcotic benefits of coca. This decision has provided hope for coca farmers who wish to utilise their crops for legal purposes. With the backing of the WHO, the stigma surrounding coca as the main ingredient in cocaine may gradually diminish, opening up new possibilities for the crop in the global market.

Coca plant burning

Coca plants are burned to prevent their leaves from being used to make cocaine. Coca is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca plants are burned in most countries, but in some places, they are used to make coca-infused alcohol.

In La Paz, Bolivia, locals harvest coca leaves and send them to the government-authorized El Viejo Roble distillery to make coca beer. The leaves are steeped in water, and the liquid is used to infuse beer. Bolivia is the third-largest coca producer globally, and the Bolivian government has been working to destigmatize the crop. Bolivia seeks to create a global market for coca liquor, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, baking flour, and more.

The process of coca plant burning is part of coca eradication, a strategy promoted by the United States government since 1961 as part of its "War on Drugs." Coca eradication aims to eliminate the cultivation of coca plants to reduce the supply of cocaine. This strategy is controversial due to its negative environmental, health, and socioeconomic impacts. The burning of coca plants can cause soil erosion and lead to unsustainable cultivation practices that harm the environment.

The United States has also been involved in developing biological agents, such as the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, to wipe out coca plants. However, these plans were canceled due to concerns about biological warfare. Critics argue that coca eradication disproportionately affects poor campesinos, while chemical companies and banks involved in the drug trade continue to profit.

Coca-Cola bottling

Coca, the crop used to make cocaine, is abundant in South America. While Belize is a major transshipment point for cocaine, there is no indication that coca is grown in the country. However, Belize has found a unique use for the coca plant by brewing coca beer. This beer is made by steeping coca leaves in water, similar to the initial step in making cocaine, and then infusing the liquid with beer.

Coca-Cola, on the other hand, is a carbonated soft drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company, based in Atlanta, Georgia. The name "Coca-Cola" refers to two of its original ingredients: kola nuts, a source of caffeine, and coca leaves. The current formula remains a trade secret, although various reported recipes and recreations have been published. The Coca-Cola Company occasionally introduces new drinks under the Coke brand name, the most popular being Diet Coke. Other variations include Caffeine-Free Coca-Cola, Diet Coke Caffeine-Free, Coca-Cola Cherry, and Coca-Cola Zero, among others.

The Coca-Cola bottling process involves creating a syrup by dissolving sugar in treated water and then filtering it to remove any impurities. This "simple syrup" is then mixed with a "concentrate" or various "basic preparations" to create the "final syrup". The syrup is then mixed with carbonated water, and the drink is packaged in PET or glass bottles, or metal cans. The Coca-Cola Company only produces the syrup concentrate, which it sells to bottlers worldwide who hold Coca-Cola franchises for specific geographical areas. These bottlers then produce the final drink by mixing the syrup with filtered water and sweeteners, carbonating it, and packaging it into cans and bottles for distribution.

Coca-leaf harvesting

Coca, the plant from which cocaine is derived, is not known to be grown in Belize. However, the country is a major transshipment point for the drug. Coca is a bush native to western South America, with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine.

Preparation

The coca plant thrives in hot, damp, and humid environments, such as forest clearings. Seeds are typically sown from December to January in small plots (almacigas) sheltered from direct sunlight. When the young plants reach a height of 40 to 60 cm, they are transplanted to their final locations, either in planting holes (aspi) or furrows (uachos) in carefully weeded soil.

Harvesting

The coca leaves are typically harvested two to three times a year: in March after the rainy season, in June, and again in October or November. The leaves are gathered from plants ranging in age from one and a half to upwards of forty years, but only the new, fresh growth is plucked. The leaves are ready for harvesting when they break upon being bent.

Drying

Once harvested, the green leaves (matu) are carefully spread in thin layers on coarse woollen cloths and left to dry under the sun. This process ensures the leaves retain their quality and can be stored for extended periods.

Packaging

After drying, the coca leaves are packed into sacks, which must be kept dry to preserve the leaves' quality. This step is crucial in preparing the leaves for storage, transportation, and eventual processing.

Processing

The dried coca leaves can then be processed in various ways, depending on their intended use. For cocaine production, the leaves undergo an extraction process using several solvents and a chemical procedure known as acid-base extraction to isolate the alkaloids, including cocaine. Alternatively, the leaves can be infused in liquids, such as alcohol or tea, or ground into a powder for chewing or other traditional medicinal purposes.

While coca leaf harvesting can provide economic opportunities for farmers, it is important to note that the cultivation, sale, and possession of coca leaves are heavily regulated and often illegal in many countries due to their association with cocaine production.

Coca-based products

Coca-Cola

One of the most well-known coca-based products is Coca-Cola, often referred to as Coke. This soft drink was invented in the late 19th century and originally included coca leaves and kola nuts as ingredients, with the name being derived from these two components. Today, the exact formula remains a closely guarded trade secret, but the drink has become a global icon, sold in over 200 countries with daily consumption of more than 1.8 billion servings. Over the years, Coca-Cola has introduced various cola drinks under the Coke name, including Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and different flavours like cherry and vanilla.

Coca Beer

In countries like Bolivia, where coca is still legal as long as it is not used for making cocaine, innovative products like coca beer are being developed. In La Paz, Bolivia, coca leaves are harvested and sent to a government-authorized distillery, where they are steeped in water, similar to the process in a clandestine cocaine lab. However, instead of being used for cocaine production, the liquid is infused with beer. This coca beer is priced affordably at around $2 and has a sweeter taste compared to regular beer.

Coca-Infused Alcohol

In addition to coca beer, Bolivia is also home to a distillery that produces coca-flavoured vodka and rum. These products have been served to the government and visitors for quite some time and are occasionally sold at artisanal fairs in Bolivia and Peru. The Bolivian government has been working to destigmatize coca, as it is a very important crop for the country, and they seek to create a global market for various coca-based products like liquor, soap, shampoo, and even baking flour.

Coca-Based Medicines

Historically, coca has been used in patent medicines and was originally marketed as a temperance drink. Confederate Colonel John Pemberton, the inventor of Coca-Cola, was addicted to morphine and sought to find a substitute, which led to the creation of Coca-Cola as a non-alcoholic beverage. Coca-Cola once contained an estimated nine milligrams of cocaine per glass, but the amount was significantly reduced over time, and since 1929, it has used a cocaine-free coca leaf extract.

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