Sources
Every claim on this site is verifiable. Here are our sources - check for yourself.
Note: This source collection is continuously expanded. If you're missing an important source, let us know.
Rainforest & Environment
UNODC: Environmental Effects of Illicit Drug Cultivation
UN report on environmental impacts: 300+ liters of gasoline per kilo of cocaine, chemical contamination of rivers and soils.
Evidence: Chemicals: Gasoline, sulfuric acid, ammonia
Used on: Rainforest
Mongabay: Forests in Colombia fall victim to illegal coca plantations
608,000 hectares of rainforest destroyed between 1998-2012 for coca cultivation.
Evidence: 300,000+ hectares destroyed
Used on: Rainforest
LSE Journal: Addressing Coca-Related Deforestation in Colombia
Peer-reviewed study on coca-related deforestation and environmental policy.
Evidence: Coca-related deforestation
Used on: Rainforest
Columbia University: Coca Production, Deforestation and Climate Change
Academic analysis on the connection between coca cultivation and climate change.
Evidence: Climate change from coca cultivation
Used on: Rainforest
Mongabay (2008): Cocaine use is destroying the Amazon rainforest
Colombia's Vice President Francisco Santos: Four square meters of rainforest destroyed per gram of cocaine. With 865 tons of global annual production, massive deforestation.
Evidence: 4 m² rainforest per gram
Used on: Rainforest, Supply Chain
Carbo Europe / MDPI: Tropical Forest Carbon Storage
Tropical primary forests store 200-300 tons of CO2 per hectare. The Amazon alone holds 150-200 billion tons of carbon.
Evidence: 200-300 t CO2/hectare
Used on: Rainforest
UNODC: Cocaine Processing Chemicals (Acetone & HCl)
Final cocaine production: cocaine base dissolved in acetone, then hydrochloric acid added to crystallize cocaine hydrochloride (powder). Typical amounts: 1,500-2,000 liters acetone + 30 liters HCl per batch.
Evidence: Chemicals: Acetone, hydrochloric acid
Used on: Rainforest
Farmers & Price Distribution
Drug Policy Facts: Cocaine Market Profit Distribution
Farmers receive 1.4% of market value ($500 million of $35 billion). UNODC data.
Evidence: 1-2% of street price
Used on: Farmers
UNODC: The Global Cocaine Market
Detailed analysis of price structure along the supply chain.
Evidence: Price structure along supply chain
Used on: Farmers
WOLA / Science Magazine: Colombia Glyphosate Fumigation Program
Decades-long spraying program with glyphosate (banned 2015 after WHO classified as "probably carcinogenic"). Contaminated water supplies, destroyed food crops, affected indigenous communities.
Evidence: Glyphosate program banned 2015
Used on: Farmers
Colombia Reports / WOLA: Indigenous Nasa People and Coca Cultivation
Nasa people are Colombia's largest indigenous group with deep coca tradition. 48% of councils and 20% of indigenous reserves affected by coca cultivation. Cauca and Nariño account for 50% of cultivation increase.
Evidence: Indigenous communities in coca cultivation
Used on: Farmers
Violence & Drug War
PBS Frontline: The Staggering Death Toll of Mexico's Drug War
Over 350,000 deaths since 2006. Comprehensive documentation of the drug war.
Evidence: 350,000+ deaths since 2006
Used on: Violence
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): Mexico
141+ journalists killed in Mexico since 2000. Most dangerous country in the Western Hemisphere for the press.
Evidence: Mexico dangerous for journalists
Used on: Violence
Reporters Without Borders (RSF): Mexico
150+ media professionals killed since 1994. 30% of all journalists disappeared worldwide.
Evidence: 150+ media professionals killed since 1994
Used on: Violence
International Crisis Group: Curbing Violence in Latin America
Analysis of cartel violence in Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras.
Evidence: Cartel violence in Latin America
Used on: Violence
CPJ: Mexico Journalist Killings 2022
13 journalists killed in the first 8 months of 2022 - highest annual toll since CPJ started tracking in 1992. 3 confirmed work-related murders, 10 more under investigation.
Evidence: 13 journalists murdered in 2022
Used on: Violence, Supply Chain
CNN / Noria Research: Mexico 2021 Election Violence
35 candidates murdered during 200+ days of campaigning. 89 total politicians killed (Etellekt). One of Mexico's deadliest elections in history. 74% of victims were opposition members.
Evidence: 35 candidates murdered in 2021
Used on: Violence
Corruption & Bribes
US DOJ: Juan Orlando Hernández Sentenced to 45 Years
Official press release from the US Department of Justice on the conviction of Honduras' former president.
Evidence: Hernández convicted 2024
Used on: Corruption
PBS: Former Honduran president sentenced to 45 years
Coverage of the verdict: 400+ tons of cocaine smuggled through Honduras.
Evidence: 400+ tons cocaine through Honduras
Used on: Corruption
InSight Crime: Juan Orlando Hernández Profile
Detailed profile and case analysis of the convicted former president.
Evidence: Hernández case analysis
Used on: Corruption
Al Jazeera: Guatemala Prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval
Head of the Special Prosecutor's Office Against Impunity (FECI), fired in 2021 and fled. Investigated President Giammattei for bribes. Received US asylum in 2023.
Evidence: Sandoval fled 2021
Used on: Corruption
México Evalúa / InSight Crime: Mexico Impunity Rate
Impunity rate for violent crimes: 94.8% (México Evalúa 2021). 93 out of 100 murders remain unpunished (Mexico Peace Index 2023). Regionally up to 99.6% (San Luis Potosí).
Evidence: 97% of crimes unsolved
Used on: Corruption, Supply Chain
Human Trafficking & Diversification
UNODC: Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime
Cartels diversify: drugs, weapons, human trafficking, illegal mining.
Evidence: Thousands trafficked
Used on: Human Trafficking
UNODC/Flemish Peace Institute: Firearms and Drugs Links
Study on the connection between drug trafficking and arms trafficking.
Evidence: Drugs-weapons trafficking connection
Used on: Human Trafficking
UN: What is Transnational Organized Crime?
UN overview of transnational crime: drugs, weapons, people.
Evidence: Transnational organized crime
Used on: Human Trafficking
Production & Consumption
UNODC World Drug Report - Cocaine Production
Annual UN report on global drug trends, production, and consumption. Documents: 99% of global cocaine production comes from Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia.
Evidence: 99% from Colombia, Peru, Bolivia
Used on: But...
EMCDDA: Wastewater Analysis
Wastewater analysis shows drug consumption in European cities including Berlin. Estimates: 3-4 tons of cocaine per year in Berlin.
Evidence: Berlin consumption data
Used on: But...
Levamisole in Cocaine Study
Peer-reviewed study on contamination of cocaine with levamisole, a veterinary dewormer.
Evidence: Levamisole contamination
Used on: But...
Supply Chain & Logistics
Geographic Distance: Colombia to Berlin
Great circle distance Bogotá to Berlin: 9,434 kilometers (5,862 miles). Main cultivation regions in Putumayo, Caquetá, Nariño (southern Colombia) have similar distance ±a few hundred kilometers.
Evidence: 9,000 km from Colombia to Berlin
Used on: Supply Chain
On Methodology
We prefer primary sources: official UN reports, peer-reviewed research, court documents, and investigative journalism from established media.
For numbers and statistics, we give conservative estimates. The actual numbers are often higher, but we want to remain credible.
If a source is no longer available or you find an error, contact us.