Argentine-U.S. anti-drug operations seize two tons of cocaine in 2006

Joint anti-drug operations between Argentina and the United States seized more than two tons of cocaine in 2006, the Argentine government said in a statement on Sunday.

The figure indicated that Argentina's drug export was more serious than previously estimated, said the statement, citing information provided by Earl Wayne, the U.S. ambassador to Argentina.

Wayne delivered a report on the joint anti-drug efforts to Argentine Interior Minister Anibal Fernandez on Friday.

The two countries are planning to operate four anti-drug units by the end of 2007. The is already one unit in Argentina's border region with Bolivia, and they plan to create three new ones in Formosa, Misiones and a key port.

The U.S. report described Argentina as a "special ally" in Washington's anti-drug fight, saying the close ties between the two countries had become even closer.

The report also said no evidence had been found that any senior Argentine officials were involved in drug production, distribution or money-laundering and attributed this to Argentina's anti-corruption efforts.

Source: Xinhua