RIO DE JANEIRO, March 17 (UPI) --
A large-scale coca plant and cocaine production operations have been discovered in Brazil, the first of their kind, authorities said
At least four separate farms were found in the Amazon rain forest by way of satellite imagery analyzed by Brazilian officials, Agencia Estado news agency reported Monday.
The discovery shocked authorities, as coca plants do not normally thrive in the dense, humid Amazon rain forest.
Brazil's mountainous neighbors -- Colombia, Bolivia and Peru -- are known for coca growing and cocaine production because of their more temperate climate. © 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
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