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Title:
National Drug Threat Assessment 2004
Executive Policy SummaryPublication Date: June 2004
Document ID: 2004-Q0317-008
Archived on: January 1, 2006. This document may contain dated information. It remains available to provide access to historical materials.
This report summarizes the findings of the National Drug Threat Assessment 2004. Topics covered include new developments and continuing trends; primary drugs; borders, POEs, and corridors; and outlook, indicators, and warnings.
Your questions, comments, and suggestions for future subjects are welcome at any time. Addresses are provided at the end of the page.
Contents
New Developments and Continuing Trends
Cocaine and Crack
Methamphetamine
Marijuana
Heroin
MDMA
Pharmaceuticals and Other Dangerous DrugsList of Figures
Figure 1. Chart Illustrating a 143 Percent Increase in Heroin Seizures Involving Federal Law Enforcement.
List of Maps
Map 1. 6 Regional Areas of Analytical Coverage.
Map 2. Primary Market Areas: Expanded to include Illinois, Indiana, and Dallas.
Map 3. Regional Methamphetamine Availability: Spreading West to East.
Map 4. 2003 Cannabis Eradication: 8 of the Top 10 National Forests are in California.
Map 5. Principal Drug Transportation Corridors, Drug and Currency Seizures, 2002.
Map 6. Primary Entry Points: Based on EPIC Seizure Data, 2002.List of Tables
Table 1. Cocaine: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
Table 2. Methamphetamine: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
Table 3. Marijuana: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
Table 4. Heroin: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
Table 5. MDMA: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
New Developments and Continuing Trends
Illicit drugs--including the drug trade's vast revenues and sophisticated smuggling and transportation infrastructure--remain a direct threat to the United States and its interests. Further, major drug trafficking organizations (DTOs)--headquartered in Mexico and Colombia--and U.S. street gangs pose a grave and evolving threat to the national security of the United States and the hemisphere.
In 2001, 21,683 people died in the United States from licit and illicit drug abuse. In 2000, an estimated $64 billion changed hands in the United States for illicit drugs, and the societal costs of drug abuse were projected at $181 billion in 2002. Further, there is mounting evidence that the global drug trade helps to finance many of the world's terrorist organizations and their activities.
The National Drug Threat Assessment 2004 indicates that in 2002 an estimated 35.1 million persons aged 12 and older reported using an illicit drug in the last year. Hospital emergency rooms recorded 1.2 million drug mentions. Other new and continuing trends were identified nationally and in six geographic regions (as shown on the 6 Regional Areas of Analytical Coverage Map).
Map 1. 6 Regional Areas of Analytical Coverage.
Map illustrating the 6 Regional Areas of Analytical Coverage: Pacific, West Central, Southwest, Southeast, Great Lakes, and Northeast/Mid-Atlantic.
The Pacific region includes Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Nevada, and Idaho.
The West Central region includes Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
The Southwest region includes Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
The Southeast region includes Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
The Great Lakes region includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.
The Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region includes West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania.
- Criminal organizations maintain control over drug distribution. DTOs based in Mexico and Colombia are the primary wholesalers of most illicit drugs in the United States, while street gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs), and prison gangs are the primary retailers.
- Cocaine and methamphetamine are considered the primary drugs behind much of the nation's drug-related violence, while marijuana remains the most widely available and abused drug in the United States.
- Overall heroin demand appears to be trending downward, but it continues to push into rural and suburban areas in the Northeast; heroin seizures involving federal agencies rose again in 2002 for the fourth year; and low cost, high purity heroin continues to attract new and younger users.
- Pharmaceutical diversion and abuse are on the rise, with hydrocodone and oxycodone drugs considered the greatest threats. While "doctor shopping" and forged prescriptions are among the leading methods of diversion, pharmaceuticals increasingly are being obtained from Mexico and Internet pharmacies.
- Domestic methamphetamine production has increased. Further, reporting indicates that production in Mexico, already substantial, is increasing. Availability of ice methamphetamine is up sharply due to production increases by Mexican groups, who may have supplanted Asian groups as the top producers and distributors of ice nationwide.
- Vast stretches of public lands are being exploited for methamphetamine and marijuana production. Further, law enforcement officials report that growers are becoming more organized, well-armed, and confrontational. Eight of the top ten national forests for cannabis eradication are in California. California alone accounted for more than two-thirds of cannabis plants eradicated from National Forest System (NFS) lands.
- The NDTA 2004 identifies 14 primary market areas that serve as major centers of consumption and distribution of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, and MDMA. This year, two new markets were added to the Central States: Indiana and Illinois for methamphetamine. Dallas was added for marijuana. California contains three markets, the most of any state. Los Angeles remains the only primary market for all five major drugs of abuse.
Map 2. Primary Market Areas: Expanded to include Illinois, Indiana, and Dallas.
U.S. map showing the primary market areas including Illinois, Indiana, and Dallas. These indicate:
Atlanta, GA = Cocaine
Boston, MA = Heroin
Central States (Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana) = Methamphetamine
Chicago, IL = Cocaine, Heroin, and Marijuana
Dallas, TX = Marijuana
Houston, TX = Cocaine and Marijuana
Los Angeles, CA = Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, MDMA, Methamphetamine
Miami, FL = Cocaine, Marijuana, and MDMA
New York, NY = Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, and MDMA
Phoenix, AZ = Marijuana and Methamphetamine
San Diego, CA = Marijuana and Methamphetamine
San Francisco, CA = Methamphetamine
Seattle, WA = Marijuana
Tucson, AZ = Marijuana
- Most illicit drugs and money in the United States are transported on highways and interstates. This Summary identifies five principal transportation corridors, three of which emanate from the Southwest Border. The primary corridor stretches from the Southwest Border to the Northeast and transits eight primary markets. (See Principal Drug Transportation Corridors Map)
- MDMA (ecstasy) use dropped significantly for eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders during the same period that the perceived risks of using MDMA increased among adolescents. Israeli and Russian criminal groups are the primary wholesale distributors of MDMA in the United States.
- Synthetic drugs are poised to become an escalating threat. They can be simple and cheap to produce and generate vast profits. Their production is relatively unlimited due to an abundance of precursor chemicals. New recipes are proliferating over the Internet.
Primary Drugs
Cocaine and Crack
Adult cocaine use stable at high levels; adolescent use trending downward: Adult cocaine use is relatively stable at high levels, according to Monitoring the Future (MTF) data. The rates of past year use for powder cocaine remained unchanged from 2002 to 2003 for eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders. Crack use among tenth graders declined significantly from 2.3 percent in 2002 to 1.6 percent in 2003. The estimated number of cocaine-related emergency department (ED) mentions increased from 193,034 in 2001 to 199,198 in 2002, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).
Mexican groups dominate wholesale cocaine distribution; gangs dominate retail distribution: Mexican criminal groups control most wholesale cocaine distribution in the Great Lakes, Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions and are increasing their wholesale supplies to Dominican criminal groups in New York City. Colombian criminal groups, however, control most wholesale cocaine distribution in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. At the retail level, African American and Hispanic gangs are the predominant retail distributors of both powder and crack cocaine in every region. Other retail distributors of powder cocaine include Mexican criminal groups in the Great Lakes, Southwest, Pacific, and West Central regions and Dominican, Jamaican, and Puerto Rican criminal groups in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.
Table 1. Cocaine: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
The dominant groups in the Los Angeles cocaine wholesale market area are Mexican and Colombian criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Los Angeles cocaine retail market area are African American and Hispanic gangs. The secondary market is nationwide.
The dominant groups in the Houston cocaine wholesale market area are Mexican, Colombian, and Dominican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Houston cocaine retail market area are Mexican, Colombian, Jamaican, Dominican criminal groups and local street gangs. The secondary markets are Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta, Chicago, and New York. Crack is also supplied to Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
The dominant groups in the Chicago cocaine wholesale market area are Mexican and Colombian criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Chicago cocaine retail market area are street gangs. The Chicago secondary markets are the Great Lakes, areas of NE/Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and West Central regions.
The dominant groups in the New York cocaine wholesale market area are Colombian, Dominican, and increasingly Mexican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the New York cocaine retail market area are African American, Dominican, Jamaican, and Puerto Rican criminal groups, street gangs, and independent dealers. The secondary market is the Eastern United States.
The dominant groups in the Atlanta cocaine wholesale market area are Mexican and Dominican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Atlanta cocaine retail market area are African American and Hispanic street gangs and local independent dealers. The secondary markets are the NE/Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions.
The dominant groups in the Miami cocaine wholesale market area are Colombian criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Miami cocaine retail market area are independent dealers, which control powder cocaine distribution, and Haitian and Jamaican criminal groups and African American street gangs, which control crack cocaine distribution. The secondary market is the Eastern United States.
Methamphetamine
Use among most age groups trending downward; consequences of use trending upward: According to MTF, past year methamphetamine use among young adults declined, although not significantly, from 2001 (2.8%) to 2002 (2.5%). According to DAWN, the estimated number of ED mentions for methamphetamine increased steadily from 10,447 in 1999 to 17,696 in 2002. Likewise, Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) data show that the number of methamphetamine-related treatment admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities increased from 58,777 in 1999 to 66,052 in 2000 (the latest year for which such data are available).
Distribution expanding eastward, largely controlled by Mexican wholesalers: Methamphetamine distribution is widespread in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions, is increasing in the Great Lakes and Southeast regions, and is limited but rising in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region. Mexican traffickers control most wholesale distribution in western and southwestern states and supply methamphetamine to Caucasian midlevel distributors in the West Central, Great Lakes, and Southeast regions. OMGs and street gang members distribute methamphetamine, particularly in the Great Lakes, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast.
Map 3. Regional Methamphetamine Availability: Spreading West to East.
U.S. map illustrating high to low methamphetamine availability in states from the West Coast to the East Coast.
High availability states include Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, and Indiana.
Moderate availability states include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Low availability states include Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and New York.
Methamphetamine distribution increased in the Great Lakes and Southeast regions, due largely to an expansion in the number of Mexican distribution groups.
Increasing lab seizures signal rise in U.S. production; possible increase in Mexico: Domestic methamphetamine production appears to be increasing. The number of reported methamphetamine laboratory seizures increased overall from 2002 to 2003, while the number of reported seizures of high capacity superlabs appears to have remained stable. The number of reported laboratory seizures increased from 9,188 in 2002 to 9,815 in 2003. During that same period, the number of reported superlab seizures remained almost unchanged from 2002 (145) to 2003 (143). Law enforcement reporting indicates that methamphetamine production in Mexico--the source of most foreign-produced methamphetamine in the United States--is significant and may be increasing. Preliminary estimates by an Availability Working Group indicate that the amount of domestically produced uncut methamphetamine available in the United States in 2001 ranged from 98.3 to 131.2 metric tons; estimates for Mexico-produced uncut methamphetamine available in the United States ranged from 9.2 to 13.9 metric tons in 2001.
In 2003, 123 of the 143 superlabs seized domestically were located in California. Also, in 2003, authorities seized 3,244 laboratories in the Central States; only 4 were superlabs.
Production on National Forest System (NFS) lands increasing: Methamphetamine production appears to be increasing on NFS lands. Despite decreases in the amount of methamphetamine and the number of dumpsites seized on NFS lands between 2001 and 2002, the number of clandestine laboratories surged from 102 to 187. U.S. land management agencies also warn of environmental damage to public lands and dangers to both tourists and officials posed by booby traps and armed workers at methamphetamine and marijuana production sites.
Methamphetamine laboratory seizures on NFS lands increased from 102 in 2001 to 187 in 2002, despite a drop in seizures of methamphetamine and dumpsites.
Mexican groups rely on Canada-sourced precursors for domestic production: Mexican criminal groups typically produce methamphetamine in the United States using bulk quantities of pseudoephedrine acquired from U.S.-based Middle Eastern criminal groups that obtain the precursors in Canada. Mexican criminal groups also produce methamphetamine in Mexico and, to a lesser extent, in the United States, using ephedrine often produced in China. Independent producers acquire ephedrine and pseudoephedrine through the purchase or theft of over-the-counter medications.1
Ice methamphetamine availability increased sharply last year primarily because of a significant increase in production by Mexican criminal groups, who appear to have supplanted Asian criminal groups as the primary producers and distributors of ice in the United States.
Mexican traffickers transport methamphetamine nationwide: Mexican traffickers transport the methamphetamine that they produce in Mexico and California to markets nationwide. OMGs and independent producers transport methamphetamine that they produce, primarily in California and the Central States, as well as methamphetamine supplied by Mexican sources in California.
Table 2. Methamphetamine: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
The dominant groups in the Los Angeles methamphetamine wholesale market area are Mexican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Los Angeles methamphetamine retail market area are Hispanic gangs, independent dealers, Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, and Asian gangs. The secondary market is nationwide.
The dominant groups in the San Francisco methamphetamine wholesale market are Mexican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the San Francisco methamphetamine retail market area are Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, street gangs, and independent dealers. The secondary market is nationwide.
The dominant groups in the San Diego methamphetamine wholesale market area are Mexican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the San Diego methamphetamine retail market area are street gangs. The secondary market is nationwide.
The dominant groups in the Phoenix methamphetamine wholesale market area are Mexican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Phoenix methamphetamine retail market areas are Caucasian independent dealers and Hispanic gangs. The secondary market is the Eastern United States.
The dominant groups in the Central States (AR, IL, IN, IA, MO) methamphetamine wholesale market area are Mexican and Caucasian independent dealers. The dominant groups in the Central States retail market area are Caucasian and Hispanic distributors that supply local independent dealers. The secondary markets are mostly the Central States.
Marijuana
Rates of past year marijuana use highest among college students aged 19-22: According to 2002 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data, more than 25 million persons aged 12 or older reported using marijuana in the past year (11% of the U.S. population over age 12). MTF data show that among adult marijuana users, rates of past year marijuana use are highest among young adults aged 19 to 22. Also according to MTF data, among adolescents, the rates of past year marijuana use in 2002 and 2003 decreased significantly from 14.6 percent to 12.8 percent for eighth graders. Rates of use for tenth and twelfth graders trended downward, but changes were not significant.
California and Mexico appear to supply most marijuana; widespread cultivation on U.S. public lands, especially in California: While cannabis is cultivated in every state, California, Kentucky, Tennessee, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest (Washington and Oregon) are the primary domestic source areas. Marijuana produced in Mexico, Canada, Colombia, and Jamaica also supplies U.S. markets nationwide. Cannabis cultivation, especially on public lands, is widespread. NFS lands in California accounted for more than two-thirds of cannabis plants eradicated from NFS lands in 2001 (495,536 of 719,985) and 2002 (420,866 of 597,797). Further, 8 of the 10 leading national forests for plant eradication in 2002 were in California. Cleveland National Forest in California and Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky are among the leading national forests for eradication.
Commercial-grade marijuana, which includes buds, leaves, stems, and seeds from male and female plants, is the most prevalent type available.
Map 4. 2003 Cannabis Eradication: 8 of the Top 10 National Forests are in California.
Map of California illustrating cannabis eradication for 2003 in the following 8 national forests:
Mendocino had 19,647 plants on 889,884 acres.
Sierra had 16,048 plants on 1.3 million acres.
Los Padres had 29,865 plants on 2 million acres.
Cleveland had 119,720 plants on 460,000 acres.
Klamath had 20,020 plants.
Stanislaus had 40,912 plants on 898,000 acres.
Sequoia had 95,934 plants on 1.1 million acres.
San Bernardino had 25,564 plants on 660,000 acres.In 2002, 1,099 metric tons of marijuana were seized through investigations involving federal agencies. Of that amount, nearly 1,016 metric tons were seized in Texas, Arizona, California, and New Mexico.
Mexican traffickers control transportation of wholesale marijuana: Most foreign-produced marijuana available in the United States is transported overland across the U.S.-Mexico border by Mexican DTOs and criminal groups. Colombian DTOs, Asian and Jamaican criminal groups, and Canada-based OMGs also smuggle marijuana into the United States. Within the United States, Mexican traffickers control the transportation of the wholesale marijuana that they produce in both Mexico and the United States. Other marijuana transporters within the country include U.S.- and Canada-based OMGs, Asian and Jamaican criminal groups, and local independent growers and dealers.
Table 3. Marijuana: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
The dominant groups in the Los Angeles and San Diego marijuana wholesale market areas are Caucasian, Mexican, and Jamaican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Los Angeles and San Diego marijuana retail market areas are street gangs and independent dealers. The secondary market is nationwide.
The dominant groups in the Seattle marijuana wholesale market area are Mexican, Caucasian, and independent dealers. The dominant groups in the Seattle marijuana retail market area are Caucasian, Asian, and African American independent dealers, Mexican criminal groups, and street gangs. The secondary markets are Alaska, Hawaii, California, Florida, Minnesota, and Washington, DC.
The dominant groups in the Phoenix and Tucson marijuana wholesale market areas are Mexican and Jamaican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Phoenix and Tucson marijuana retail market areas are street gangs and independent dealers. The secondary markets are the West Central, Southeast, and NE/Mid-Atlantic regions.
The dominant groups in the Dallas and Houston marijuana wholesale market areas are Mexican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Dallas and Houston marijuana retail market area are Mexican criminal groups, Hispanic and African American gangs, prison gangs, and independent dealers. The secondary markets are the Great Lakes, NE/Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and West Central regions.
The dominant groups in the Chicago marijuana wholesale market area are Mexican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Chicago marijuana retail market area are street gangs and independent dealers. The secondary market is the Great Lakes region.
The dominant groups in the Miami marijuana wholesale market area are Jamaican, Bahamian, and Mexican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Miami marijuana retail market area are Jamaican, Mexican, Caucasian, and African American criminal groups, street gangs, and independent dealers. The secondary market is the Eastern United States.
The dominant groups in the New York marijuana wholesale market areas are Jamaican, Mexican, Colombian, Caucasian, and traditional organized crime groups. The dominant groups in the New York marijuana retail market area are street gangs and independent dealers. The secondary market is the Eastern United States.
Heroin
Heroin demand lower than for other major drugs: The overall demand for heroin in the United States is lower than demand for other major drugs of abuse, and rates of use appear to be trending downward for most age groups. MTF data show that rates of heroin use among college students (aged 19 to 22) and young adults (19 to 28) declined from 2001 to 2002, although the decline was significant only for young adults. MTF data also show that from 2002 to 2003, rates of heroin use among adolescents remained unchanged among eighth graders, declined significantly among tenth graders, and declined among twelfth graders, but not significantly. The nationwide heroin-related ED mentions remained statistically unchanged from 2001 to 2002, according to DAWN.
Low cost, high purity heroin continues to attract new and young abusers because it can effectively be snorted or smoked, eliminating the risk and stigma associated with injection.
Heroin expanding in suburban and rural areas of Northeast/Mid-Atlantic: Heroin availability and distribution are rising in many suburban and rural areas, particularly in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region of the country.2 South American heroin is the primary type available in the eastern United States, and Mexican heroin--primarily black tar and brown powder--is the primary type available in the western United States. Colombian and Mexican traffickers as well as Dominican, Nigerian, and Asian criminal groups are the primary heroin wholesalers in the country. For the fourth consecutive year, heroin seizures by federal agencies increased. Most recently, 2,521 kilograms were seized in 2001 and 2,799 kilograms in 2002.
Figure 1. Chart Illustrating a 143 Percent Increase in Heroin Seizures Involving Federal Law Enforcement.
There were 1,151 kilograms of heroin seized involving federal law enforcement in 1999, 1,686 kilograms in 2000, 2,521 kilograms in 2001, and 2,800 kilograms in 2002. The increase is 143 percent from 1999 to 2002.
Source: FDSS
Table 4. Heroin: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
The dominant groups in the Los Angeles heroin wholesale market area are Mexican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Los Angeles heroin retail market area are Mexican traffickers. The secondary market is the Western United States.
The dominant groups in the Chicago heroin wholesale market area are Colombian, Mexican, and Nigerian criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Chicago heroin retail market area are African American and Hispanic street gangs. The secondary markets are the Great Lakes and West Central regions.
The dominant groups in the Boston heroin wholesale market area are Colombian and Dominican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Boston heroin retail market area are African American, Asian, Caucasian, Colombian, Dominican, and Puerto Rican criminal groups, street gangs, and independent dealers. The secondary market is New England.
The dominant groups in the New York heroin wholesale market area are Colombian, Dominican, Chinese, Nigerian, Pakistani, and Russian criminal groups. The dominant groups in the New York heroin retail market area are Dominican criminal groups. The secondary market is the Eastern United States.
MDMA
Readily available nationwide: MDMA is available in every region, and law enforcement reporting indicates increasing availability. Conversely, seizure, case, and arrest information indicates stable to slightly decreasing availability overall. The number of MDMA dosage units seized by federal agencies decreased sharply from 4,639,540 dosage units in 2001 to 3,495,960 dosage units in 2002.
MDMA seizures by federal agencies fell from 4,639,540 dosage units in 2001 to 3,495,960 dosage units in 2002.
Demand for MDMA high, but trending downward, particularly among adolescents: MDMA use among adults appears to be highest among young adults. However, MTF data for 2002 and 2003 show that rates of past year MDMA use decreased significantly for eighth graders (2.9% to 2.1%), tenth graders (4.9% to 3.0%), and twelfth graders (7.4% to 4.5%). Further, MTF data also reveal that the percentage of eighth, tenth, and twelfth grade students who believe that individuals place themselves at great risk by using MDMA once or twice is increasing. The estimated number of ED mentions for MDMA decreased sharply from 5,542 in 2001 to 4,026 in 2002.
The rates of past year MDMA use decreased significantly for eighth, tenth, and twelfth graders between 2002 and 2003.
Most MDMA available in the United States is produced in Europe: Most MDMA available in the United States is produced in the Netherlands and Belgium and transported to the United States by couriers on commercial flights, mail services, air cargo, and maritime vessels. Very limited quantities of MDMA produced in Asia, Canada, Mexico, and South America also are destined for U.S. markets. Israeli and, to a lesser extent, Russian criminal groups control MDMA transportation from Europe to the United States although Asian, Colombian, and Dominican traffickers increasingly are transporting MDMA from Europe as well.
Israeli and Russian traffickers control most wholesale distribution; Caucasian males primary retail distributors: Israeli and Russian criminal groups are the primary wholesale distributors of MDMA in the United States. Asian, Colombian, Dominican, and Middle Eastern criminal groups, as well as traditional organized crime, also distribute wholesale quantities of MDMA. These groups, along with African American and Mexican criminal groups, also control most midlevel MDMA distribution. Caucasian males aged 18 to 30, typically independent dealers, control most retail MDMA distribution. Other retail distributors include African American, Asian, and Hispanic street gangs and OMGs.
Table 5. MDMA: Primary Market Areas, Market Domination and Secondary Markets.
The dominant groups in the Los Angeles MDMA wholesale market area are Israeli and Russian criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Los Angeles MDMA retail market area are independent dealers, usually Caucasian males. The secondary markets are the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions.
The dominant groups in the Miami MDMA wholesale market area are Israeli, Russian, Colombian, and Dominican criminal groups. The dominant groups in the Miami MDMA retail market area are Caucasian independent dealers. The secondary market is nationwide.
The dominant groups in the New York MDMA wholesale market area are Israeli, Russian, Asian, Colombian, Dominican, and traditional organized crime groups. The dominant groups in the New York MDMA retail market area are independent dealers. The secondary market is nationwide.
Pharmaceuticals and Other Dangerous Drugs
Pharmaceuticals diverted by new and traditional methods: Most pharmaceutical controlled substances abused in the United States are diverted by forged prescriptions, "doctor shopping," and theft; however, law enforcement agencies report that pharmaceuticals are increasingly being obtained from Mexico and through Internet pharmacies whose sources of supply often are in Mexico and other foreign countries.
Narcotics abuse increasing: Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in every region of the country report an increase in the availability and abuse of prescription narcotics such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and codeine. The demand, availability, and abuse of these drugs are high and appear to be increasing, but the abuse of hydrocodone and oxycodone drugs in particular poses the greatest threat.
The diversion and abuse of pharmaceuticals, including narcotics, depressants, and stimulants, are on the rise. The estimated number of ED mentions for narcotic analgesics rose 20 percent from 2001 (99,317) to 2002 (119,185).
Prescription stimulant abuse, particularly Ritalin abuse, occurring among school students: Stimulants, particularly dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin), are widely available in most areas. Ritalin abuse is most noted in school settings where students with legitimate prescriptions often share the drug with friends. Young adults also abuse these drugs; however, overall abuse appears to be stable.
Availability and abuse of ODDs stable: The availability and abuse of other dangerous drugs (ODDs) are moderate and relatively stable. Particularly popular among adolescents and young adults, ODDs are most prevalent in metropolitan areas. Some club drugs, particularly GHB and Rohypnol, are used in drug-facilitated sexual assaults because of their sedative properties. Although law enforcement reporting indicates increased availability of hallucinogens within college and rave communities, the most recent drug prevalence data indicate that overall use of these drugs is relatively stable.
Gangs and Organizations
Drug trafficking organizations--particularly those based in Mexico and Colombia--are the primary wholesale distributors of most illicit drugs in the United States.3 Colombian DTOs control most wholesale distribution of cocaine and heroin in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Mexican organizations, however, are the dominant force in the wholesale production, supply, and distribution of illicit drugs in the United States.
DTOs--particularly those based in Mexico and Colombia--are the primary wholesale distributors of most illicit drugs in the United States. Street gangs, OMGs, and prison gangs are the primary retail distributors of illegal drugs.
Mexican DTOs
- dominate wholesale cocaine and methamphetamine distribution, wholesale distribution of most foreign- and some domestic-produced marijuana, and wholesale heroin distribution in the western United States;
- control smuggling routes across the U.S.-Mexico border;
- are expanding their transportation of cocaine and heroin into New York City and will continue to make inroads into and expand within eastern U.S. drug markets;
- may be expanding their role in MDMA production and transportation.
Street gangs, OMGs, and prison gangs are the primary retail distributors of illegal drugs in the United States. There are an estimated 850,000 active gang members in the United States. Although concentrated in major urban areas, gangs are proliferating in rural and suburban areas. Gangs obtain powder cocaine primarily from Colombian, Dominican, and Mexican criminal groups and marijuana primarily from Colombian, Mexican, and Jamaican criminal groups. Gangs obtain heroin primarily from Asian, Colombian, Dominican, Mexican, and Nigerian groups and methamphetamine primarily from Mexican criminal groups. Street gangs are responsible for most of the serious violent crime in major cities.
There are an estimated 850,000 active gang members in the United States.
Borders, POEs, and Corridors
Drugs and money are transported mostly on U.S. highways within five corridors: Illicit drugs and drug revenues are transported to primary and secondary markets throughout the United States by passenger and commercial vehicles, principally within five transportation corridors. Generally, drugs flow north from the Southwest Border and the southeastern United States, while illicit drug currency (usually in bulk) is transported in reverse along the same highways to collection centers in primary markets where it is readied for repatriation to foreign countries, primarily Mexico and Colombia.4
Map 5. Principal Drug Transportation Corridors, Drug and Currency Seizures, 2002.
U.S. map illustrating the principal drug transportation corridors based on drug and currency seizures for 2002.
This United States map illustrates the highways, primary market area cities, secondary market area cities, ports of entry, and national forests within five drug transportation corridors.
The primary market area cities are Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/Newark, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tucson.
The secondary market area cities are Baltimore, Barstow, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Des Moines, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Little Rock, Milwaukee, Myrtle Beach, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington D.C.
The ports of entry are Alexandria Bay, Blaine, Brownsville, Buffalo, Calexico, Champlain, Charleston, Columbus, Derby Line, Detroit, Douglas, El Paso, Hidalgo, Highgate Springs, Laredo, Los Angeles, Lukeville, Lynden, Miami, New York/Newark, Nogales, Oroville, Otay Mesa/San Ysidro, Pharr, Santa Teresa, Sault Ste. Marie, Sumas, and Sweet Grass.
The national forests are Cleveland, Daniel Boone, and Six Rivers.
Transportation corridor 1 stretches from Los Angeles along the southern U.S. border to Jacksonville, but branches northeast at New Orleans and ends near New York City. In 2002, there were 2,942 drug seizures including 8,317 kilograms of cocaine, 35 kilograms of heroin, 112,257 kilograms of marijuana, and 255 kilograms of methamphetamine. The value in U.S. dollars was $48,319,427.
Transportation corridor 2 stretches from Los Angeles through the mid-western U.S. and ends near New York City. In 2002, there were 1,644 drug seizures including 5,520 kilograms of cocaine, 39 kilograms of heroin, 63,125 kilograms of marijuana, and 623 kilograms of methamphetamine. The value in U.S. dollars was $38,409,257.
Transportation corridor 3 stretches from Hidalgo, TX and goes north up to the end of I-35, but also branches toward Chicago. In 2002, there were 400 drug seizures including 852 kilograms of cocaine, 1 kilogram of heroin, 35,045 kilograms of marijuana, and 132 kilograms of methamphetamine. The value in U.S. dollars was $10,946,882.
Transportation corridor 4 stretches from Miami north along the eastern coast to Boston. In 2002, there were 284 drug seizures including 606 kilograms of cocaine, 15 kilograms of heroin, 1,382 kilograms of marijuana, and 1 kilogram of methamphetamine. The value in U.S. dollars was $12,910,949.
Transportation corridor 5 stretches from Los Angeles north along the pacific coast to Seattle. In 2002, there were 107 drug seizures including 231 kilograms of cocaine, 13 kilograms of heroin, 2,103 kilograms of marijuana, and 42 kilograms of methamphetamine. The value in U.S. dollars was $4,702,446.
Three of the five corridors emanate from the Southwest Border. The primary corridor stretches from Los Angeles to New York and transits eight primary markets.
Map 6. Primary Entry Points: Based on EPIC Seizure Data, 2002.
Map illustrating primary entry points in the southwestern and eastern U.S.
Southwest:
San Francisco, CA = Methamphetamine and Heroin
San Ysidro, CA = Heroin, Marijuana, and Methamphetamine
Calexico, CA = Cocaine, Marijuana, and Methamphetamine
Otay Mesa, CA = Marijuana and Methamphetamine
Nogales, AZ = Cocaine, Marijuana, and Methamphetamine
El Paso, TX = Cocaine, Heroin, and Marijuana
Del Rio, TX = Cocaine
Laredo, TX = Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, and Methamphetamine
Pharr, TX = Methamphetamine
Hidalgo, TX = Cocaine, Marijuana, and Methamphetamine
Houston, TX = HeroinEast:
Chicago, IL = Heroin
Detroit, MI = Heroin
Buffalo, NY = Heroin
Champlain, NY = Marijuana
Boston, MA = Heroin
New York, NY = Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, and MDMA
Newark, NJ = Heroin and MDMA
Baltimore, MD = Heroin
Washington, DC = Heroin
Charleston, SC = Marijuana
Atlanta, GA = Heroin
Miami, FL = Cocaine, Heroin, Marijuana, and MDMAMost drugs are smuggled through or between POEs on the U.S.-Mexico border, through the Southeast POEs, primarily Miami, and ports in New York and New Jersey.
Port of New York-New Jersey and Port of Miami: Cocaine and marijuana are the primary drug threats. Colombian DTOs control smuggling into these ports.
Hidalgo POE: Marijuana produced in Mexico and cocaine are the primary threats. Smuggling is controlled by Mexican DTOs. In 2002 more than $4M was seized in 151 outbound smuggling attempts.
Laredo POE: Marijuana and cocaine are the primary threats. Mexican DTOs control most smuggling. In 2002, $5.8M was seized in 151 outbound smuggling attempts.
Cocaine smuggled to and between ports of entry (POEs) on the U.S.-Mexico border is transported along all five corridors to the Primary Market Areas (PMAs) of Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York. The primary POEs for cocaine along the Southwest Border are at and near Hidalgo, Laredo, El Paso, Calexico, and Nogales. In 2002, 64 percent of the cocaine seized at POEs on the U.S.-Mexico border was seized at Texas POEs.
Methamphetamine is transported from California and Mexico to the primary markets of Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and the Central States along corridors 1, 2, 3, and 5. Of the 1,223 kilograms of methamphetamine seized on the Southwest Border in 2002, most (60%) was seized at or between California POEs. The Detroit POE serves as a primary POE for pseudoephedrine smuggled from Canada.
Marijuana is transported to PMAs overland in vehicles via all five corridors to the PMAs of Chicago, Dallas/Houston, Los Angeles/San Diego, Miami, Phoenix/Tucson, and Seattle. Marijuana is smuggled across the U.S.-Canada border primarily at Washington and New York POEs. Once inside the United States, BC Bud is transported along principal U.S. interstates and highways to PMAs in Chicago, Los Angeles/San Diego, Miami, New York, Phoenix/Tucson, and Seattle. Maritime transportation of marijuana to the United States through the Gulf of Mexico is occurring with greater frequency. In 2002 seizures in the Gulf of Mexico represented approximately 24 percent of the marijuana seized at sea, up considerably from approximately 3 percent from 1999 to 2001.
- Miami and Charleston (SC) are leading POEs for commercial maritime seizures. Seizures in Miami dropped from 2001 (17,996 kg) to 2002 (4,178 kg).
- Almost 98 percent of drugs seized at all land POEs in 2002 were seized at POEs on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Heroin produced in South America is smuggled by Colombian trafficking groups using couriers traveling aboard commercial flights destined for international airports, generally in New York or Miami. Colombian and Dominican traffickers transport the drug throughout the eastern United States along corridor 4. Mexican traffickers smuggle Mexican heroin from the border area along corridors 1, 2, 3, and 5 to markets in the Great Lakes, Pacific, Southeast, Southwest, and West Central regions. Mexican heroin enters the United States mostly at the Laredo, El Paso, and San Ysidro POEs.
- South American heroin is transported from Colombia to Miami and New York. Increasing amounts are entering the U.S. overland at and between POEs on the U.S.-Mexico border.
- Southeast Asian heroin enters North America via containerized maritime cargo, commercial flights, and mail services. Some heroin transported from Canada crosses the border to the northwestern United States or through POEs at Buffalo and Detroit.
- Southwest Asian heroin is transported by couriers on commercial flights to New York, Detroit, Chicago, and occasionally Los Angeles.
MDMA: The primary POEs for MDMA include the John F. Kennedy, Miami, Newark Liberty, and Los Angeles International Airports. From these POEs, MDMA usually is transported to surrounding and major market areas along corridors 1, 2, and 4. From New York, MDMA is transported on domestic flights to Kansas City, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Juan, Seattle, and Tampa markets. From Miami, MDMA is transported nationwide via commercial air, private vehicle, mail services, passenger buses, and trains. From Los Angeles, MDMA is transported on commercial flights to Columbus, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and St. Louis markets.
Outlook, Indicators, and Warnings
- The number of low capacity methamphetamine laboratories will likely increase in the Great Lakes and Southeast regions, as well as in several states in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region, particularly Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
- Overall marijuana availability is stable, and abuse indicators suggest that high levels of demand for the drug will continue. Demand for high potency marijuana will likely fuel increased indoor cultivation.
- Gangs will be responsible for increasing drug production, transportation, and distribution, as well as increasing drug-related violence. One of the nation's most violent and fastest-growing gangs, Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13), may be increasing its coordination with MS 13 chapters in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia, and New York City, possibly signaling an attempt to build a national command structure.
- Asian criminal groups and gangs increasingly are distributing MDMA at wholesale and retail levels in U.S. drug markets.
- Texas POEs surpassed California POEs in the number of marijuana seizures in 2002, reflecting a possible shift in either transportation routes or methods used by traffickers.
- While the estimated worldwide production of heroin increased in 2002 due to a resurgence of cultivation in Afghanistan, the impact on U.S. markets will likely be limited as heroin from Afghanistan is consumed in Asian and European markets.
- South American heroin will remain predominant in the eastern United States, and Mexican heroin will remain so in the western United States. Traffickers' attempts to penetrate competing markets may be limited as users appear to prefer the heroin common to their regions. Traffickers, therefore, may target new and younger populations in nontraditional markets.
- Overall MDMA demand will likely remain stable or decline in the near term. Tracking studies show that MDMA use by adolescents and young adults--the primary users--peaked in 2001 and has since declined. Attitudes among adolescents indicate that their perception of risk in using MDMA is increasing, a potential reversal of a previously widespread perception that MDMA is a relatively safe drug.
End Notes
1 Also, see U.S.-Canada Border Drug Threat Assessment 2003 (LOU-LES), NDIC Product 2003-R0458-002, July 2003.
2 For fuller analysis, see Heroin in the Northeast, NDIC publication 2003-L0390H-001, August 2003.
3 In addition to the NDTA 2004, this section is supplemented with information drawn from other NDIC publications. See Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations: A National Threat Assessment, NDIC product 2003-J0403-001, March 2003. Also see Gangs and Drugs in the United States, NDIC product 2003-M0465-003, July 2003.
4 In addition to the NDTA 2004, this section is supplemented with information drawn from other NDIC reports. See Primary Drug Transportation Corridors, NDIC product 2003-J0403-003; Port of Entry Profiles for Laredo, Hidalgo, New York-New Jersey, and Miami (2003), and Domestic Drug Flows, NDIC product 2004-20317-007, March 2004.
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