Shipborne drug trafficking in Brazil

As shipborne drug trafficking intensifies, with no sign that illegal drug markets will saturate any time soon, it increasingly affects maritime trade, threatening the safe operation and security of ships and the well-being and freedom of seafarers

The widespread consumption and availability of illicit drugs, particularly cocaine, pose a major threat to both public health and law enforcement across the globe. Unfortunately, Brazil has become a key hub for drug trafficking despite not producing the drug itself. Given the high profits associated with international cocaine trafficking, criminal organisations have taken control over the illegal activity across the borders with the three primary cocaine producers, as well as ports in the Amazon inland waterways and along the extensive East Coast of the South Atlantic, most notably the port of Santos.

Although international drug traffickers commonly stash narcotics inside containers, there has been a substantial rise in the number of cargo ships, such as bulk carriers, container ships and general cargo ships, that have been inadvertently contaminated with drugs on board them or in hull compartments below the waterline at some point during their stay in Brazil.

This publication aims to raise awareness among ship operators, masters and crews calling at Brazilian ports about the need to heighten shipboard drug trafficking prevention and response measures while visiting the country. It walks through the national drug policy, the legal framework, law enforcement agencies and port security organisational arrangements. It also provides the latest statistics on cocaine seizures, local trends and regulations, and evolving smuggling methods adopted by narcotraffickers acting in national ports.

We hope you find this guide helpful and welcome any feedback for future updates.

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