Cocaine seized
IN PHOTO: Police officers carry packages containing seized cocaine after their arrival at the police airport in Lima September 1, 2014. Peruvian police seized a record 7.6 tonnes of cocaine in a quiet coastal town last week, arresting seven Peruvians and two Mexicans suspected of trying to smuggle the load to Europe as coal, according to Peru's Interior Ministry. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil (PERU - Tags: CRIME LAW DRUGS SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Police officers carry packages containing seized cocaine after their arrival at the police airport in Lima September 1, 2014. Peruvian police seized a record 7.6 tonnes of cocaine in a quiet coastal town last week, arresting seven Peruvians and two Mexicans suspected of trying to smuggle the load to Europe as coal, according to Peru's Interior Ministry. REUTERS/Enrique Castro-Mendivil (PERU - Tags: CRIME LAW DRUGS SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The Peruvian police confiscated during the last week of August 8.5 tonnes of cocaine. It is considered the biggest haul in the country's battle against illegal drugs.

The seized cocaine were displayed on Monday at a Lima airport police hangar by Interior Minister Daniel Urresti, the police chief and counter narcotics commander. It was bound for Spain and Belgium, which authorities uncovered in a rural house near Trujillo, a port in northern Peru, according to Fox News.

Peru is the world capital for cocaine production.

The cocaine were wrapped in plastic and inserted and sealed inside coal chunks. The police arrested four Peruvians and two Mexicans with the help of agents of the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

The haul broke the previous record of 6.6 tonnes of cocaine confiscated in 2002 in a truck in the state of Arequipa, which was headed to deliver the items to a fishing boat at the Ilo Port for shipment to Mexico.

Had the shipment not been discovered early enough by authorities, the cocaine would have made it to Europe and make millionaires of drug syndicate members, while feeding the vice of substance addicts.

Cocaine is extracted from coca leaves and the powder is usually mixed with other substances such as corn starch, talcum powder and sugar. When sniffed, the bloodstream absorbs the powder via the nasal tissues. It could also be ingested or rubbed into gums. Other users inhale it or inject it.

When ingested, it stimulates nerve endings within the brain, which creates a feeling of euphoria, but users develop a tolerance for the drug quickly that subsequently, they would need higher dosages and more frequent use to achieve the same euphoric effect.

Cocaine could be fatal due to respiratory failure, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage or heart attack, while children of women who are cocaine addicts could be born with birth defects and other health problems.

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