Coca farmers and police clash in Bolivia over market dispute

Clashes broke out in the Bolivian capital La Paz between police and coca leaf producers in a dispute over control of the coveted commercialization of the plant.

Several uniformed officers and a journalist were injured, several sources reported, as hundreds of growers from the Association of Coca Producers (Adepcoca), as well as opponents of the government of leftist President Luis Arce marched to demand the closure of a parallel market for the plant, which they say is illegal and enjoys government support.

Last October, thousands of coca leaf growers stormed the country's main coca market in La Paz following violent clashes with security forces.

The Adepcoca market has become the centre of a dispute between two groups of coca growers -- one loyal to the government, the other opponents -- since last year.

Some 90 percent of Bolivia's legal coca leaf business, worth $173 million a year, passes through the Adepcoca market, according to UN figures.

The dispute centres around who should control the market.

Violence erupted last year when the group loyal to, and supported by, the government ousted an opposition figure to take control of the premises.

Armin Lluta claimed he was held hostage for hours and beaten up by the government-backed group before they took control of the market.