Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs
From: Yo yo <[REDACTED] at [yo.com]>
Subject: 5000 Children Used by Drug Gang.
Date: Mon, 24 Jan 94 07:36:29 GMT

Today's UPI News (actually yesterday's, as my first try died):

1-23-94. 5:06 PM.
        RIO DE JANEIRO (UPI) -- A police study released Sunday estimates that
drug gangs in the slums of Rio de Janeiro employ some 5,000 minors,
using them as lookouts, packers, distributors and front men in battles
with police.
        The investigation, carried out by the police Anti-Drug Division,
estimates that 80 percent of the gangs' ``soldiers'' are between the
ages of seven and 17.
        Police Commissioner Maurilio Moreira said the youths are trained in
military fashion, and that they look on the gang leaders as commanders.
        ``As incredible as it may seem, the traffickers request that the
youths enter compulsory military service for learning. There they are
familiarized with the use of weapons, and serve to steal ammunition,
grenades and rifles,'' Moreira said.
        Moreira said drug dealers prefer underage members because they are
subject to less severe penalties and because they are less likely to
turn against the gang leaders.
        He said the gangs also use minors in the front lines during
confrontations with the police.
        The first posts the children are given is that of ``olheiros,'' or
lookouts who keep watch for approaching police in the labyrinthine
streets of the Rio slums.
        The next post the youths are given is that of ``vapozeiro,'' who
package cocaine and marijuana for individual sale, while more senior
members become ``aviones'' -- or airplanes -- and are entrusted with small
deliveries of drugs.