Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-jl) -- Peruvian President Alan Garcia has been very vocal and clear on his stance against Peru's growing drug trade. Just days ago the Peruvian leader sent drug traffickers a strong message by ordering the "bombings" of illegal maceration wells and illicit coca plant cultivations. Yesterday, drug traffickers in one of Peru's largest coca-growing regions sent a message of their own.

Snipers working for Peruvian drug lords murdered a worker who was performing coca cultivation eradication operations in Peru's Alta Huallaga region. Five Peruvian anti-drug agents who were providing security were also shot and wounded during the attack.

The incident occurred in the sector of Churuyacu, near the area of Yanajanca, in the region of Huanuco. 176 workers and 95 anti drug agents were conducting eradication operations when, at approximately 3:40 p.m. yesterday afternoon, four snipers who were strategically located and camouflaged in the highland jungle vegetation opened fire and murdered Edgar Ricopa Yahuarcani (36).

According to Peru's La Republica newspaper, five police officers who were providing security were also shot. Although the five policemen made out alive, some remain in serious condition. They were identified as Javier Luna Díaz (23), Arturo Solis Diaz (25), Olmer Durand Avila (27), Carlos Jeremias Meza (24) and Hector Vera Aliaga (26).

Peruvian authorities say the area, which is extremely remote and isolated, is suspected of being the refuge of one of the region's most notorious terrorists named "Armetio."

Edgar Ricopa Yahuarcani, originally from the jungle city of Pucallpa, left behind a wife and 3 children.

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