Allegations of cocaine used as wages in Argentine harvests

An investigation has revealed allegations that drug trafficking is intersecting with rural labor in the northern Entre Ríos and southern Corrientes regions of Argentina. According to reports, some harvest workers, particularly those collecting citrus and blueberries, are reportedly receiving cocaine as partial or total payment for their workdays.

The practice is linked to several localities, including Chajarí, Villa del Rosario, Mocoretá, Monte Caseros, and Concordia. Sources familiar with local drug-related judicial cases suggest that certain crew leaders and transport managers offer narcotics instead of cash. This creates a cycle where some workers consume the substances to combat physical exhaustion during long shifts, while others allegedly take doses back to their neighborhoods for resale.

The scale of the regional labor movement is significant, with approximately 20,000 fruit and vegetable workers traveling daily from the outskirts of Concordia to rural estates. Most of these workers are between 20 and 35 years old and reside in low-income neighborhoods.