As Marine Gen. Charles Wilhelm began a four- day visit here Nov. 30, the most pressing concern of his command was countering the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Operations to stem the drug trade have met with the most success here, said the commander in chief of the U.S. Southern Command. Peruvian coca plantations yield the bulk of cocaine flowing into the United States, he said, but the combined efforts of the United States and Peruvian governments have reduced the coca harvest 18 percent. With the drugrunners' air bridge mostly collapsed, he said, the United States and Peru are turning their focus to the rivers. While here, Wilhelm planned to visit a drug interdiction training center along the Amazon.
Officials suspect traffickers use the river as an alternate transportation route.
The command also established a ground-based radar facility in Iquitos to help detect drug traffickers. Southern Command officials quickly point out, however, the military isn't the lead player in counterdrug operations. For example, a U.S. Agency for International Development alternative economic development program is expected to further reduce coca harvests in the region. And the apprehension and conviction of drug traffickers remains a mostly law enforcement activity. The command's roles include detection and monitoring, sharing intelligence, logistics support, communications, planning assistance, and training and equipping.