Drug trafficking in Peru

Peru's top anti-drug official says that coca cultivation likely rose 4% in 2008. Last June, the UN reported a 5% increase from the year before that (which, by the way, the U.S. then claimed was a good sign). Part of this is due to more activity by non-ideological profit seekers Shining Path "rebels."

The good news? Peru set a record! The 30 tons of cocaine seized last year is the most ever, and 10 more tons than in 2007. I've also noted before how the war on drugs is all about setting records.

In short, setting more records=losing.