Colombia claims record drugs eradication

Colombian officials leading the fight against drugs traffickers say they've destroyed record quantities of coca and poppies -- the raw materials for cocaine and heroin.

The head of the anti-drugs police, Colonel Leonardo Gallego, said nearly fifty thousand hecatares of crops were eradicated -- the best effort for any single year.

The figures come just three months before the United States is to decide whether it will recognise Colombia as a country it believes is doing enough to combat the illegal drugs trade.

Failure to gain Washington's approval could lead to the imposition of sanctions.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service