Trends in Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime in Brazil

Abstract

This chapter aims to illustrate some of the key trends in drug trafficking in Brazil, focusing particularly on the interconnections of the country’s internal borders. In addition, this work addresses criminal power in both the Brazilian prison system and favelas (slums). The picture that emerges from my analysis reveals not only an alarming scenario with respect to violence that affects civil society but also sheds light on the lack of security and the growing corruption embedded in part of the Brazilian police. Moreover, 1 highlight the negative perception of Brazilians with regard to the institutions that are tasked with combating organized crime in the country.² As part of the complex criminal networks, Brazil is inserted in the increasing globalization of drug consumption. Due to the so-called “balloon and cockroach effects,” “the proliferation of areas of drug smuggling routes throughout the hemisphere/’ and “the dispersion and fragmentation of organized criminal groups across sub- regions,”³ this emerging economic power is faced with a problem that is effectively the result of past shortsightedness. However, it will be among the top issues that must be addressed in the second decade of the 21^st century.