Although Colombia is perhaps now most well known around the world for its growing and distributing of massive amounts of Cocaine, the country entered into the world of drugs through marijuana. Some researchers trace the appearance of marijuana to the United States. It is said that some American drug traffickers came to Colombia by way of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and brought with them the means to start growing and producing marijuana. They gave seeds to the peasants to start plantations and also provided sufficient funding and any specialized equipment and training needed to make the plantation a success. The Colombian economy at that time was stagnant and those in need saw this as an opportunity to become monetarily successful. This event was the beginning of drug trade relations with the US (marijuana was not supplied in abundance until the late 1960s when US patrons searched for a new supply source and found it in Colombia).
Now Colombia is recognized around the world as a drug hub and a large majority of drug cartels and gangs around the world have originated from Colombia, such as the Black Tuna Gang which was based out of Santa Marta and active in Miami, Florida.
Picture: 30 year old "colombian gold" (marijuana) grown by local indians
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