International Journal on Criminology Volume 6, Number 2, Winter 2018/Spring 2019 | Page 4

International Journal on Criminology • Volume 6, Number 2 • Winter 2018 / Spring 2019
Coca and Cocaine: Looking Ahead
Coca leaves: A Transnational Timeline and Key Elements of Current
International Anti-Narcotics Legislation from the Perspectives of
Bolivia 1 and France
Alain Delpirou 2
In memory of Alain Labrousse (1937-2016), one of Europe’s most important
writers on the political geography of drugs, and a friend of
Bolivia.
Abstract
Recent months have seen a number of worrying developments concerning
drugs in Europe. One case in point is that of cocaine and
coca plants. Seizures of “coke” measured in metric tons are now
commonplace. Another point to remember is that the cocaine on
sale in the streets of Europe is less and less cut with other substances.
On top of this, there is also fierce competition among dealers in
an ultra-saturated European cocaine market.
So why does international legislation continue to confuse a plant
(coca) with one of its derivatives? For a more accurate idea of the
role of international regulations and the issues involved, further
clarity is required.
Keywords: Coca, Transnational, Key Elements, International Anti-
Narcotics Legislation, Perspectives, Bolivia, France
Coca y cocaína: mirando hacia el futuro
Resumen
En los últimos meses se han producido una serie de acontecimientos
preocupantes en relación con las drogas en Europa. Un ejemplo
1 For convenience, the term “Bolivia” is used throughout this article rather than “the Plurinational
State of Bolivia.”
2 Dr Alain Delpirou is a qualified teacher of History and Geography. Laureate and Member of the
Société de Géographie de Paris, he is the author of a notable geographical study on coca leaves and
cocaine published in 1993. His most recent work, published in 2015 by Presses Universitaires de
Corse, is Cocaïne, histoire mondiale d’une drogue.
1
doi: 10.18278/ijc.6.2.1