Bolivia coca ambush leaves 4 security force members dead

LA PAZ: A weekend ambush and hostage-taking involving police and Bolivian coca growers has left four people dead, officials said Monday.

Two members of a military and police team working to eradicate coca crops died in a firefight Saturday.

Eight hostages were taken, and two were found dead on Monday. The other six hostages were rescued or escaped, and some were wounded.

A total of 14 people were wounded in the fighting, said Interior Minister Carlos Romero.

He said the coca growers were linked to drug traffickers, reportedly with foreign connections.

The fighting happened in the Apolo region, 410 kilometers (250 miles) north of the capital La Paz.

The combined police and military unit of about 170 officers is dedicated to manually eradicating illegal coca crops. But growers complain they often resort to gunfire or beating those who stand in their way.