Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in the Americas

Supply Sources of Drugs in Latin America

ARGENTINA
No information reported by 31st December 1993.

BOLIVIA
No information reported by 31st December 1993.

BRAZIL
Brazil is one of the most important route for cocaine trafficking in South America. The harbour of Santos is the biggest in South America, and most of the cocaine that goes to the USA or Europe, comes from this city (UNDCP Brazilia 1991).

CHILE
Cocaine comes in from the producing countries through the northern region. There is no evidence of international traffic of cannabis. Inside the country, cannabis is transported from the cultivation regions to the urban areas by land (U.N. 1991).

COLOMBIA
Most of the cocaine processed in Colombia comes from coca leaves grown in Bolivia and Peru. Coca cultivation is illegal but is grown in small patches in Colombia in remote areas (Thoumi 1992).

            In 1989, drugs turnover was estimated at 3 billion dollars, and the amount returning to Colombia at billion (CP 1991). The government appears to be limited in its capacity to control the illegal drug industry. It is commonly held that as long as international demand remains high, the drug industry will continue to be important in Colombia and the region.

ECUADOR
Ecuador is a transit country for the traffic of cocaine coming from Bolivia, Peru and Colombia. Drug traffickers use ports and airports in Ecuador for large scale international shipments concealed in agricultural products exported to the U.S.A. and Europe (U.N. 1989).

URUGUAY
No information reported by 31st December 1993.

VENEZUELA