Peru’s National Police on Friday seized 155 kilograms of cocaine paste from two individuals travelling on a highway between the southern cities of Cusco and Arequipa.
The seizure occurred early Friday and was part of operations surrounding year-end celebrations in Cusco, state news agency Andina reported.
The cocaine paste, worth approximately $60,000 in Europe, was being carried in 154 brick-sized packages that were hidden in suitcases in a private vehicle. Police said the shipment was being taken to Bolivia.
Authorities say the cocaine paste came from Peru’s Apurimac and Ene river valley, or VRAE. The VRAE is Peru’s top region for growing coca, the raw material used to make cocaine.
“It is a big hit against the drug traffickers,” said prosecutor Milagros Sayhua. The drug traffickers “take advantage of [this time of year] to transport and sell [drugs].”
Peru has seen a steady increase in cocaine production in recent years and in October the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration said that the Andean nation has overtaken Colombia as the world’s biggest cocaine producer.
