Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in the Americas

Arrests, Convictions and Types of Offences in Latin America

ARGENTINA
In 1987, a total of 3,939 persons were arrested for drug related reasons, of whom 3,389 were males and 450 were females, and 10.4 per cent were minors (PAHO 1990).

            In 1988, 7,515 persons were arrested for illicit drug trafficking and possession, of whom 6,582 were males and 933 females. Most were over 18 years of age (6,066 males and 878 females), and 571 were minors (516 males, 55 females) (U.N. 1988).

            A reported 10,000 persons were arrested by traffic or possession of illicit drugs in 1992, almost twice the number of people arrested in 1991 (5,949) (CICAD 1993).

BOLIVIA
In 1992,1,226 persons were arresrted by traffic or possession of illicit drugs (CICAD 1993).

     For 1987, 887 persons were arrested for drug possession or trafficking, of which 275 were put on trial. For 1986, the corresponding count was 981, of which 497 were put on trial (CP 1991).

BRAZIL
In 1987, 3,967 people were convicted by the Federal Police, 2,958 for drug traffic and 1,009 for illicit drug abuse (Ministries of Health and of Justice 1989).

            The number of arrests due to traffic or possession of illicit drugs decreased from 2,876 persons in 1988 to 2,283 persons in 1992 (CICAD 1993).

CHILE
In 1989, 5088 people were arrested for the illegal possession of the following drugs: cannabis (3764), cannabis plant resins (504), inhalants (712), cocaine (95), stimulants (13). A further 2,000 people were arrested for illicit traffic of the following drugs: cannabis (713), cannabis plant resins (584), cocaine (514), coca leaf (9), stimulants (180). Most of the arrested were male, about 19-30 years of age, including mainly unemployed people, qualified and unqualified employees, and students (U.N. 1989).

            In 1992, a total of 4,329 persons were arrested for traffic or possession of illicit drugs (CICAD 1993).

COLOMBIA
The number of people arrested for traffic or possession of illicit drugs has varied over the last few years. In 1988, 5,596 people were arrested and in 1989 the number fell to 3,607 persons (CICAD 1993). In 1990, 2685 people were detained for drug trafficking offenses. There were 1.920 people detained for traffic of coca leaves, 145 detained traffic of cocaine and 620 people for the possession of cannabis (CP 1991). The number of persons arrested increased in 1991 to 6,389 and fell to 1,651 persons in 1992 (CICAD 1993).

ECUADOR
 In 1989, 1480 people were arrested for illicit drug possession (1013 possessed cannabis and 467 people possessed cocaine) while 1133 for illicit drug traffic (758 people for cocaine traffic, 575 people for cannabis). Most of the people arrested for illegal possession were students between 20-24 years of age, while most of those arrested for drug traffic were workers over 30 years of age (U.N., 1989). In 1992 a total of 1465 persons were arrested for traffic or possession of illicit drugs (CICAD 1993).

URUGUAY
The number of people arrested for traffic or possession of illicit drugs has decreased from 1,293 in 1988, to 847 in 1992 (CICAD 1993).

VENEZUELA
During 1991, 8,601 people were arrested for illegal drug possession and trafficking (CND, 1992). In 1989, 5,464 persons were arrested for possession of illicit drugs (28.76 per 100,000) while 1870 persons were arrested for illicit drug trafficking (CP 1991).