Coal cracked, coke uncovered
An odd one this, more of an aside than an article but notable as an excellent case study of one of the more esoteric risks associated - or potentially associated - with the extractives markets.
One of the key by products from coal is coke… can you see where this is going?
Yup: we learnt today via the BBC that police in Peru have apparently seized over three tonnes of cocaine hidden in a Europe-bound coal shipment.
All its mining strengths aside Peru is also the world's top coca grower - having overtaken Colombia in 2012 - but even so counter-narcotics police chief Vicente Romero said this was the largest bust in the country so far this year.
According to Interior Minister Daniel Urresti, the coke was stashed in football-sized lumps of coal destined for Spain and Belgium. Stick that one in your pipe and... OK we'll stop now.
ENDS
