NCJ Number
139554
Date Published
1992
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) investigated the extent of narcotics activities in Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela and evaluated efforts to combat these activities and existing impediments to those efforts.
Abstract
While the actual levels of narcotics activities in Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela are not known because of lack of firm data, U.S. officials and officials from these countries believe there is coca growth and cocaine production occurring, although not on levels comparable to those in Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru. The report indicates that drug trafficking, transshipment, diversion of chemicals essential to cocaine production, and money laundering are more significant problems. These three countries have limited anti-drug programs and receive little U.S. assistance. The lack of effective coordination and cooperation between U.S. and host country agencies and host government corruption continue to impede law enforcement efforts, although bilateral and regional cooperation are beginning to develop. 4 notes and 6 appendixes