Bolivia has seized 9.2 tonnes of coca leaves from Peru, the Interior Ministry announced on Monday.
A total of 795 packages or bales were found by police in a truck during a search on a road in the Andes, Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo said, stressing that they are one of the largest seizures of this type.
The operation took place in the middle of last week, but was not officially announced until Monday.
Minister Del Castillo claimed that these leaves were intended for drug trafficking and their illegal sale in Bolivian territory.
Bolivia has repeatedly said it serves as a bridge for Peruvian cocaine to Brazil and other countries, but such a large amount of coca leaves seized from Peru is unusual.
According to the Peruvian National Commission for Development and Drug-Free Living, coca cultivation in Peru reached 80,381 hectares in 2021 and 10% is used for legal purposes, such as chewing and infusions.
According to the United Nations, Peru is one of the main coca and cocaine producing countries, along with Colombia and Bolivia.