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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Bunck, Julie Marie, 1960–
Bribes, bullets, and intimidation : drug trafficking and
the law in central america / Julie Marie Bunck and
Michael Ross Fowler
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Summary: “Examines drug trafficking through Central
America and the efforts of law enforcement to counter it.
Details the routes, methods, and networks involved, while
comparing the evolution of the drug trade in Belize, Costa
Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama over three
decades”—Provided by publisher.
isbn 978-0-271-04866-6 (cloth : alk. paper)
1. Drug traffic—Latin America—Case studies.
2. Drug control—Latin America—Case studies.
I. Fowler, Michael Ross.
II. Title.
HV5840.L3B86 2012
363.4509728—dc23
2011045324
Copyright © 2012 The Pennsylvania State University
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
Published by The Pennsylvania State University Press,
University Park, PA 16802-1003
The Pennsylvania State University Press is a member of
the Association of American University Presses.
It is the policy of The Pennsylvania State University Press
to use acid-free paper. Publications on uncoated stock
satisfy the minimum requirements of American National
Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of
Paper for Printed Library Material, ansi z39.48-1992.
This book is printed on Natures Natural, which contains
50% post-consumer waste.
CONTENTS
List of Illustrations / vii
Acknowledgments / ix
List of Abbreviations / xi
Introduction: Exploring Central American Drug Trafficking / 1
1 Central America and the International Trade in Drugs / 15
2 Belize / 70
3 Costa Rica / 130
4 Guatemala / 190
5 Honduras / 253
6 Panama / 309
Conclusion / 377
Selected Bibliography / 385
Index of Cases / 397
Index of Names / 403
General Index / 413
ILLUSTRATIONS
FIGURES
1.1 Cultivation of opium in Colombia and Mexico, 1991–2009 28
1.2 Projected heroin production in Colombia and Mexico, 1995–2009 29
1.3 Heroin seizures in key Central American bridge states, 1991–1999 30
1.4 Heroin seizures in key Central American bridge states, 2000–2010 31
1.5 Cocaine seizures in key Central American bridge states, 1990–1999 35
1.6 Cocaine seizures in key Central American bridge states, 2000–2010 36
1.7 Estimated marijuana users in the United States, 1979–2009 62
1.8 Estimated heroin users in the United States, 1979–2009 63
1.9 Estimated cocaine users in the United States, 1979–2009 64
2.1 Marijuana production in Belize, 1982–1990 85
2.2 Marijuana yield and exports from Belize, 1982–1990 86
2.3 Cocaine seizures in Belize, 1990–2010 100
3.1 Marijuana cultivation, eradication, and yield in Costa Rica, 1985–1991 143
3.2 Eradication of marijuana plants in Costa Rica, 1992–2010 144
3.3 Costa Rican seizures of cocaine, 1982–1995 146
3.4 Costa Rican seizures of cocaine, 1996–2010 147
3.5 Costa Rican seizures of heroin, 1992–2009 152
4.1 Net production of opium in Guatemala, 1985–1995 212
