Cajamarca, in the midst of social and political tensions, must now face a new problem: drug trafficking.

According to a recent article by Peru21, the region is now a hotspot for the storage, production, and distribution of drugs.

Jaime Antezana, a drug trade analyst, said the problem was concentrated in the provinces of Celendín, Hualgayoc, and Bambamarca.

The drugs are produced in these provinces, and are then shipped to Lambayeque. They are then smuggled into Ecuador, and then the United States and Europe.

Celendín, Antezana said, is the main source of coca leaf cultivation and processed coca paste.

Regional President of Cajamarca Gregorio Santos said Peru21’s report was “blasphemy”, and said the newspaper was “an embarrassment to the national press, an insult and discrimination to Cajamarca.”

According to the newspaper, unnamed sources at the country’s anti-drug agency, and national police confirmed the emergence of drug trafficking in Cajamarca.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Oscar Valdes said there were “traces” of drug trafficking in Cajamarca.

"Some people have already reported this, some analysts, I think it is clear,” Valdes said, according to Peru21.