NCJ Number
87274
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 5 Issue: 6 Dated: (November 1982) Pages: 10-14,17-20,22,58-63
Date Published
1982
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Southern Florida has experienced a dramatic increase in crime since it became the capital of the South American drug trade.
Abstract
Efforts to control the smuggling of drugs -- mainly cocaine and marijuana -- are virtually fruitless without the cooperation of the governments of Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, the source of these drugs. The Colombian drug dealers are considered to be the most violent and ruthless criminals in the world. They kill competitors and their relatives alike, regardless of age or criminal involvement. A crackdown on drug smuggling in Florida -- involving hundreds of Federal and local police -- has pushed the drug problem into other parts of the country, including all of the Deep South States and Houston. Drug crimes and violent crimes related to drugs have also increased in New York and Los Angeles. Due to past efforts to stop drugs coming in from Mexico and other countries, the illegal drug trade today is controlled mainly by Colombians living in their own country and illegally in the United States. Attempts to control drug smuggling from South America are further detailed. A graph and photographs are included.