High rates of incarceration due to drug trafficking in the last decade in southern Brazil

Abstract Introduction Drug-related crimes, especially drug trafficking, account for a large part of incarcerations not only in Brazil, but also worldwide. It is not clear whether the change in the drug law has contributed to the increase in the number of drug trafficking prisoners. Few studies have investigated gender differences and the growth of drug trafficking offenses in the Brazilian southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Objective To investigate the growth of the prison population in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, emphasizing incarcerations for drug trafficking and gender differences. Method This was an ecological study using secondary data collected from official databases of the Brazilian National Penitentiary Department (Departamento Penitenciário [DEPEN]), affiliated with the Brazilian Ministry of Justice. Results Between 2006 and 2015, incarcerations increased by 27% (25% men, 83% women). Incarcerations for drug trafficking accounted for 11% of total arrests in 2006 (11% men, 20% women) and 45% in 2015 (47% men, 91% women), corresponding to an increase of 427% (415% among men, 723% among women). Conclusions Imprisonment for drug trafficking has increased considerably, especially among women. This may be due to factors such as: increase of drug trafficking, increase in the numbers of gangs in the state, and changes in the Brazilian drug law. These results highlight an emerging challenge in public health from the perspective of human rights and gender.

Homicídios dolosos, tráfico de drogas e indicadores sociais em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil / Intentional homicide, drug trafficking and social indicators in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é verificar a associação entre homicídio doloso, tráfico de drogas e indicadores sociais em Salvador, Bahia, Brasil, no ano de 2010. Trata-se de estudo ecológico a partir dos casos de homicídios dolosos e de tráfico de drogas registrados pela Polícia Civil da Bahia com indicadores sociais. A análise entre o coeficiente de homicídio doloso, tráfico de drogas e proporção de homens negros de 15 a 49 anos foi feita através do modelo de regressão binomial negativa, com software R versão 2.13.0. Foram registrados 1.391 homicídios dolosos em 2010, gerando coeficiente de 108,5 homicídios por 100mil habitantes. Na associação foi observado que nos bairros com proporção de homens negros de 15 a 49 anos acima de 60%, esse coeficiente aumentou 89% (≥ 60% e ≤ 80%) e 87% (> 80%), comparado com bairros com proporção menor que 60%. Quanto ao tráfico de drogas, houve aumento médio de 40% estatisticamente significante nesse coeficiente nos bairros com 5 ou mais casos, comparado com bairros com menos de 5. As evidências empíricas observadas poderão contribuir para o conhecimento sobre o fenômeno dos óbitos por homicídios dolosos nas grandes cidades e poderá auxiliar gestores, segurança pública e sociedade civil organizada no enfrentamento desse problema.

Abstract To study the association between intentional homicide, drug trafficking and social indicators in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil in 2010. This is an ecological study, based on cases of intentional homicides and drug trafficking registered by the Civil Police of Bahia, as well as social indicators. A negative binomial regression model, utilizing R software (version 2.13.0), was used to verify the association between the homicide rate, drug trafficking and the proportion of black males aged 15 - 49. There were 1391 homicides in 2010, giving a rate of 108.5 homicides per 100,000 people. It was observed that in neighborhoods with a proportion of black males aged 15 - 49 over 60%, this rate increased by 89% (≥ 60% and ≤ 80%) and 87% (> 80%), compared to neighborhoods with less than 60% of black males aged 15 - 49. Regarding the factor of drug trafficking, there was a statistically significant average increase of 40% in terms of this coefficient in neighborhoods with five or more cases of drug trafficking, compared to neighborhoods with less than five of such cases. The empirical evidence that was observed can help to contribute to the existing knowledge about the phenomenon of deaths due to homicide in large cities, and it will also help managers, public security and organized civil society to face this problem.

La riqueza del narcotráfico y la desigualdad en Colombia, 1976-2012 / Drug trafficking wealth, and inequality of income in Colombia, 1976-2012 / A riqueza do narcotráfico e a desigualdade em Colômbia, 1976-2012

Buscando comprender la trascendencia económica del narcotráfico sobre la concentración del ingreso en Colombia,se estima la magnitud de la repatriación de riqueza del narcotráfico(W) desde la mitad de la década de los setenta,considerando las Utilidades Repatriables (UR) y su absorción mediante Flujos de Capitales Encubiertos (FCE), a través del contrabando, la sobre/subfacturación del comercio y la inversión extranjera originada en paraísos fiscales. Las UR se calculan contablemente utilizando la información disponible de producción, precios y decomisos y supuestos documentados, mientras que los FCE contrastan cifras oficiales con registros del resto del mundo y estimativos según fundamentales teóricos. Así, la W explicaría el repunte en la desigualdad del ingreso, controlado por el crecimiento de la economía, y daría alcance a otras manifestaciones del deteriorode la equidad que han sido atribuidas al narcotráfico. Un nexo de calado regional, considerando que allí la desigualdadse encuentra asociada al crecimiento económico y a las incautacionesde bienes al narcotráfico. Un reto para las políticaspúblicas, a juzgar por su inadecuado diseño y ambiguos resultados,tras el propósito de contener la riqueza de origencriminal y promover la economía legal.

In an intent to understand the economic significance and in-fluence of drug-trafficking on the concentration of income inColombia, this article estimates the magnitude of the repatriationof drug trade wealth (W) since the mid-1970s by takinginto account Repatriable Profits (RP) and their absorptionthrough Hidden Capital Flows (HCF), smuggling, tradepractices such as over-billing or under-billing, and foreign investmentfrom tax haven countries. The RPs are accountedfor by using production, prices, seizures and confiscations aswell as documented assumptions, while in the HCFs officialnational figures are compared with records of the rest of theworld and estimates according to theoretical fundamentals.Thus, W might explain the spike in income inequality, as controlledby economic growth, and would match other manifestationsof the deterioration in equity attributed to drugtrafficking. Therefore, it implies a nexus of regional importanceif we consider that inequality there is associated witheconomic growth and the confiscations of drug traffickers’assets; and, judging by their inadequate design and ambiguousresults, another challenge for public policies aimedat curbing criminally-acquired wealth and promoting lawfuleconomy.

Procura-se compreender a transcendência econômica donarcotráfico sobre a concentração da renda na Colômbia,e se considera a magnitude da riqueza do narcotráfico (W)desde meados da década dos setenta, considerando UtilidadesRepatriáveis (UR) e sua absorção por meio dos Fluxos deCapitais Encobertos (FCE), através do contrabando, a sobre/sobfaturação do comércio e o investimento estrangeiro originadoem paraísos fiscais. As UR calculam-se contabilmenteusando a informação disponível da produção, dos preços edos confiscos e supostos documentados, enquanto os FCEcontrastam números oficiais com registros do resto do mundoe dos estimativos de acordo com teóricos fundamentais.Assim, a W explicaria a ascensão na desigualdade da renda,controlada pelo crescimento da economia, e daria o alcancea outras manifestações da deterioração da equidade queforam atribuídas ao narcotráfico. Um nexo de influênciaregional, considerando que lá a desigualdade é associadaao crescimento econômico e às confiscações dos bens aonarcotráfico. Um desafio para as políticas públicas, a julgarpor seu desenho inadequado e resultados ambíguos, após aintenção de conter a riqueza da origem criminal e promovera economia legal.