The expansion of crack dens in Rio de Janeiro’s North Zone has intensified fear and urban disorder in neighborhoods such as Maracanã, Mangueira, and Benfica, directly impacting the daily lives of residents, business owners, and workers. The illegal occupation of sidewalks, squares, and overpasses by drug users has heightened the sense of insecurity and contributed to the degradation of public spaces. Frequent reports of aggressive behavior, thefts, and conflicts among drug users have further aggravated concerns among locals. Meanwhile, authorities struggle to address the issue, which involves not only public security but also health and social assistance policies.
This Content Is Only For Subscribers
To unlock this content, subscribe to INTERLIRA Reports.
Expansion of Crack Dens in the North Zone
In Maracanã, Mangueira, and Benfica, crack dens have become increasingly prevalent. On Bartolomeu de Gusmão Avenue, near Maracanã subway station, it is common to see homeless individuals setting up makeshift stalls to sell cachaça, cigarettes, and other drug-related items. In nearby areas, such as Rua Visconde de Niterói in Mangueira, people live in improvised tents along the subway wall, where crack users gather in large numbers.
Impact on Residents’ Safety and Daily Life
The spread of crack dens has directly impacted the security and routines of North Zone residents. Reports of aggressive behavior from drug users are frequent, forcing many residents to avoid certain areas or alter their daily routes. Local merchants also suffer from reduced foot traffic and the worsening urban landscape, which negatively affects their businesses. Many drivers report aggressive encounters with drug users. One app-based driver recalled a terrifying incident in which a woman forced her way into his car while he was stopped at a red light, experiencing a violent outburst.
Challenges Faced by Authorities
Municipal Health Secretary Daniel Soranz criticizes the lack of effective action against crack trafficking, emphasizing the devastating impact of the drug on the homeless and addicted populations. He points out that crack sales points are not being properly repressed, even though crack is not produced in Rio but arrives via trafficking routes already known to the police. According to police sources, users can buy crack for as little as R$5 in Mangueira, and many resort to theft, robbery, or selling valuable materials (such as copper wires) to sustain their addiction. This vicious cycle fuels insecurity and makes the affected areas even more dangerous for residents and workers.
Situation in Benfica
In Benfica, the situation is equally alarming. Near the Rio Luz wall, close to the Rio Municipal Market (Cadeg), drug users gather among piles of trash and burning bonfires. A large crack den has been established within an area filled with irregular car washes, making the surroundings practically impassable. Comlurb employees and City Hall workers are forced to navigate through the dangerous environment, often unable to take meaningful action due to the hostile conditions.
Analysis:
The proliferation of crack dens in Rio de Janeiro’s North Zone highlights a persistent failure to integrate public security, social assistance, and urban management policies. The current situation demonstrates how crack consumption and its associated illicit economy—encompassing theft, drug sales, and informal commerce—thrive in areas with limited state presence and weak law enforcement. The spread of these drug consumption sites into key urban areas, such as Maracanã and Benfica, creates an environment of lawlessness that not only jeopardizes public security but also accelerates the deterioration of public spaces.
From a security perspective, crack dens generate a high concentration of individuals in extreme social vulnerability, leading to increased occurrences of opportunistic crimes like theft, robbery, and assaults. While law enforcement plays a crucial role in containing immediate threats, a purely repressive approach tends to disperse, rather than eliminate, the problem. Sustainable solutions require a coordinated strategy that includes intelligence-based policing to dismantle crack distribution networks, rapid urban interventions to reclaim public spaces, and robust social policies aimed at the rehabilitation and reintegration of addicted individuals.
