This is the shocking moment a police helicopter was taken out by a narco gang's drone, killing at least 14 people in Colombia.

The aircraft was part of an operation to destroy illegal cocoa crops when it was reportedly attacked by the cocaine cartel in Antioquia on Thursday.

Footage shows the doomed chopper disappearing into the horizon shortly before it plunged onto the hillside.

A loud explosion was heard, followed by a black smoke column rising into the sky.

Antioquia Governor Andres Julian Rendon said: 'In the rural area of Amalfi, a Policia Colombia helicopter was shot down, which was apparently providing security to officers engaged in manual coca crop eradication efforts.

'The police were attacked by a drone. The number of victims is still uncertain.

'We have activated the hospital network and are closely monitoring this news, which is so painful for democracy and sad for our Forces.

'In that area, FARC dissidents and the Gulf Clan are operating.'

Governor Andres was referring to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a far-left guerrilla group with links to illegal drug distribution, and the Clan del Golfo, a right-wing Colombian neo-paramilitary group and Colombia's largest drug cartel.

Officials said at least six people died and 71 were wounded in a car bomb explosion in densely populated Cali city on the same day.

They have not clarified if both attacks were related.

Colombia's Ministry of Defense said: 'These attacks, which claimed the lives of uniformed personnel and civilians, constitute an affront to the entire nation.

'We express our deepest solidarity and condolences to the families of the victims, and we reaffirm the unwavering commitment of the Defence Sector to work day and night for the security and peace of all Colombians.

'The Public Force will act in a united and decisive manner to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Criminal groups will not subdue the State nor continue to sow terror. We will not allow it.'

Colombia has been racked by a surge of violence in recent months as clashes flared between government forces and rebels, paramilitaries, and drug syndicates.

Coca leaf farming is also increasing, with a record 253,000 hectares being used for the illegal crop in 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said.