Study of three drug transit routes in Costa Rica

Rodolfo Calderón Umaña reported Central America’s emergence as a principal transit route for illicit drugs from South America to the U.S. has given rise to local retail markets supplying users within the region. A study of three Costa Rican communities – one in greater San José and two along the Caribbean coast – highlights several factors that determine the scale and consequences of these local markets. Among the most important are the high levels of social exclusion experienced by households in these localities and residents’ motivation to become involved in the business because it offers resources (money, power and prestige) that cannot be achieved through the legitimate channels of education or quality employment. Other factors include the proximity of the communities to drug trafficking routes and the extent of previously existing demand from local consumers. Read Article