Venezuela: Drug Arrests Increase 40%

[Judi Lynn]

Venezuela: Drug Arrests Increase 40%
By REUTERS
Published: December 27, 2010

Venezuela has detained 12,376 people on drug-related charges this year, about 40 percent more than in 2009, the authorities said Monday. The government said the figures showed the success of its anti-narcotics policy. But they also indicate that Venezuela remains an important route for illegal drugs, mainly from Colombia to consumers in Europe and the United States. The number reflects the number of arrests through mid-December, compared with 8,741 for all of 2009, the National Drugs Office said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/world/americas/28briefs-Venezuela.html?_r=1&src=twrhp

~~~~~
Venezuela reports sharp increase in number of suspects detained in drug cases this year
By Associated Press
10:36 p.m. EST, December 27, 2010

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelan authorities have detained a sharply higher number of suspects in drug cases this year, the country's drug agency said Monday.

Authorities have detained 12,376 people in drug cases this year as of mid-December, up from 8,741 detentions reported during 2009, the National Anti-Drug Office said.

President Hugo Chavez's government released the figures saying they show Venezuela is making important efforts to fight drug trafficking. The country has in recent years been an important route for cocaine from neighboring Colombia being smuggled to the United States and to Europe via West Africa.

The government said 17 of those detained this year were suspected of being major traffickers, and most were wanted under international arrest orders. They included two suspects deported to the United States in September, including an alleged boss of Colombia's powerful Norte del Valle cartel.

More:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-lt-venezuela-drugs,0,964062.story