Coca-Cola had to strike a deal with the DEA to continue to exist!
Coca-Cola was started by John Pemberton during a short lived prohibition on the sale of alcohol in Atlanta. Pemberton sought an alternative to alcohol, so he made a tonic that contained carbonated water, kola nut extracts, fruit flavors, and coca leaves. At the time, cocaine from the coca leaves was included in the drink, which is why it caught on so fast, yet in a relatively short time its sale was made illegal. Once the government limited the usage of the leaves, there was no more cocaine in the drink, yet the flavor was still necessary that was obtained from the coca.
Thus, Coca-Cola continued to use coca leaves. It was not until later when the US government completely banned any importation of coca leaves into the country that Coca-Cola was really in trouble. Because the procurement of coca leaves was illegal, Coca-Cola no longer had their key flavor. Consequently, they struck a deal with the DEA allowing them to continue to import the leaves, but ensuring the cocaine was removed. This is still the practice.
The leaves are imported from Peru and Bolivia and DEA officers watch closely as all the cocaine is removed from the leaves sent to Coca-Cola factories to be made into cola!
