La Paz, Bolivia, Oct 31, 2009 / 12:46 am (CNA).- The Archbishop of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval, has called on officials to track down those attempting to increase drug trade in Bolivia, a country that has been tagged as one of the largest illegal drug producers in the world.

On October 15, the U.S. State Department issued a report identifying Bolivia, Burma and Venezuela as countries as failing "demonstrably" in following international counternarcotic agreements. Bolivia is also among a list of 20 nations listed as large producers of illegal drugs.

During Mass at the local Cathedral, the cardinal noted that drug trafficking is an evil unseen by those who do not want to see, "but we believers need God to open our eyes."

"And so let us find those who are interested in spreading this and why it is so easy to get these drugs that destroy the hearts and souls of people," the cardinal said.

He added that love and understanding are needed to break into the world of criminality and insecurity.

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