Ecuador remains a country with no discernible incidence of drug crops, despite its location between drug producers Colombia and Peru, according to a representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), speaking in Quito on March 9.

"The results to date show that Ecuador has taken positive steps that don’t allow these crops to have an impact on the country," said Flavio Mirella, Ecuador and Peru’s representative to the UNODC. He added that this has been made possible by an agreement between Ecuador and the UNODC to monitor regions likely to harbor illegal crops.

Mirella addressed a news conference to announce a three-year extension of the agreement, including controlling container ports so they’re not used in trafficking and other crimes.

Two studies sponsored by UNODC have determined “the non-existence of illicit cultivation" in Ecuador. "We are confident that you will realize greater results for national and global security," said Mirella. He added, "No other country belonging to the program has made as many seizures of drugs as Ecuador."

Ecuador is considered a transit country for drugs. In 2009, law enforcement confiscated a record 68 tons of illicit drugs, including 64 tons of cocaine. In 2010, Ecuador authorities seized 18 tons, according to police.

According to a June 2010 UN report, in 2009, Peru earned the dubious distinction of being the world's largest producer of coca leaf, 119,000 metric tons, moving ahead of Colombia, which produced 103,000 tons that year.