Pubdate: Wed, 14 Feb 2001 Source: Lincoln Journal Star (NE) Copyright: 2001 Lincoln Journal Star Contact: PO Box 81609, Lincoln, NE 68508 Fax: (402) 473-7291 Feedback: http://www.journalstar.com:80/info/about_ljs/letform Website: http://www.journalstar.com/ Author: Andrew Selsky, The Associated Press U.S.-TRAINED TROOPS TAKING ON DRUG LABS LA ESPERANZA, COLOMBIA Buoyed by unexpected success in fumigating coca crops, a U.S.-financed offensive is targeting clandestine jungle labs in search-and-destroy missions in the heart of the world's main cocaine-producing region. Colombian army troops, trained by Green Berets and guided by spy-plane and satellite technology, have had only light skirmishes with leftist rebels and rival right-wing paramilitary gunmen who earn millions of dollars from "taxing" the cocaine industry in southern Colombia. U.S. officials say it is too early to declare victory, but the Colombian commander of the operations says rebel vows to combat the offensive have proved empty. "We had expected tough fights when we went into these places. We thought they would shoot down our helicopters and planes. But the engagements have been routine," Colombian army Gen. Mario Montoya told reporters Monday at Tres Esquinas army base, where U.S. intelligence experts have operated alongside Colombian military personnel in a heavily guarded Joint Intelligence Center. Montoya then flew into the war zone to direct the demolition of a lab that produced millions of dollars worth of cocaine. After showing journalists the lab - hidden in a stand of jungle growth and containing packages of purified cocaine, processing chemicals, microwave ovens and an electrical generator - Montoya's men placed explosive charges inside it and retreated into the middle of a coca field. "One, two, three!" Montoya called out. At three, a soldier pressed a detonator, triggering a deafening explosion that enveloped the drug lab in a fireball. It sent a column of black smoke into the air, where helicopter gunships circled overhead like raptors seeking their prey Rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, had overseen the operation of the lab, which was capable of refining 2,200 pounds of cocaine per week, Montoya said. But the guerrillas were nowhere to be seen as the heavily armed government soldiers, their faces smeared with camouflage paint, conducted sweeps into the surrounding jungle. One discovered a stash of 1,100 pounds of "coca paste," or unrefined cocaine. Three men were arrested when the troops first arrived. Montoya strode through the coca field, M-16 assault rifle in hand, barking orders to his troops. After destroying the lab, along with the chemicals and coca paste, Montoya boarded a helicopter and took off for the Tres Esquinas base. "I am convinced that the military capacity of the FARC is what we have seen," Montoya told reporters of the rebel response to the counterdrug offensive, which began Dec. 19 and has resulted in the aerial fumigation of some 72,000 acres of coca, according to Colombian and U.S. officials. Whichever figures are correct, the early success has far exceeded planners' expectations. Montoya, whose troops and helicopters protect crop dusters from enemy gunfire, said he had been charged with destroying some 59,000 acres of coca in two years, a target which he surpassed only seven weeks after the so-called "Push into the South" offensive began. A temporary halt to the spraying campaign was declared 10 days ago. At least 123,000 acres of coca is believed to still exist. Montoya said his forces' presence on fumigation missions has dramatically cut the risk to the crop dusters' pilots, who are subcontracted by the U.S. State Department. Previously, when the crop dusters flew unprotected, a plane was hit by bullets on virtually every mission. Now, less than 1 percent of the planes receive groundfire, Montoya said. - --- MAP posted-by: Kirk Bauer