Social vulnerability has a notable influence on health, well-being, and the risk of human rights infringements. This cross-sectional observational study aims to understand the socioeconomic and demographic profile of individuals arrested for drug trafficking in Fortaleza-CE, as well as to identify the degree of social vulnerability in the areas they inhabit. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine if these aspects are associated with judicial decisions made during custody hearings. For this purpose, data from 728 arrest warrants recorded between March 2018 and September 2019 were examined, using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and spatial distribution analysis. The analysis revealed that the majority of those arrested are young, brown-skinned, single men with primary education and without children. A statistically significant association was identified between the Social Vulnerability Index (IVS) and the outcomes of custody hearings, suggesting that the residential context of the arrested individuals may significantly influence incarceration decisions.