Executive Summary

The trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs, particularly cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, MDMA, pharmaceuticals, and other dangerous drugs pose a serious threat to the United States. Drug trafficking organizations, criminal groups, street gangs, and independent dealers distribute illicit drugs to millions of Americans each year. In 2002 an estimated 35.1 million people aged 12 and older reported using an illicit drug within the past year; an estimated 3.2 million people were dependent on or abusers of illicit drugs. To counter the overall threat, federal, state, and local agencies nationwide commit significant portions of their resources annually to antidrug law enforcement initiatives, education, and treatment.

Law enforcement and public health agency reporting reveals regional variations in the drug threat; however, data from the National Drug Intelligence Center National Drug Threat Survey 2003 indicate that, nationally, 37.0 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies identified cocaine (either powder or crack) as their greatest drug threat followed by methamphetamine (36.2%), marijuana (13.1%), heroin (8.7%), and MDMA (0.9%). National Drug Threat Survey 2003 data further show that more agencies identified cocaine (either powder or crack) as the drug that most contributes to violent crime (50.1%) and property crime (42.0%) than methamphetamine (31.6% and 29.8%), marijuana (4.6% and 11.8%), heroin (4.6% and 10.9%), or MDMA (0.2% and 0.1%).

Cocaine. Cocaine trafficking and abuse represent a significant drug threat to the United States. Both powder and crack cocaine are readily available throughout the country, and overall availability appears to be stable. All Drug Enforcement Administration Field Divisions and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas report that powder and crack cocaine are readily available in their areas. Law enforcement reporting indicates that the number of cocaine-related federal investigations and arrests remained relatively stable over the past year. Federal seizures of cocaine have decreased; however, cocaine remains second only to marijuana as the drug most seized by federal agencies. National Drug Threat Survey data for 2003 indicate that 37.0 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide identify cocaine (both powder and crack) as their greatest drug threat, higher than any other drug type.

The demand for cocaine is high, and adults appear to be the largest user cohort for both powder and crack cocaine. Worldwide cocaine production decreased significantly in 2002, largely because of intensified coca eradication in Colombia. Cocaine continues to be smuggled into the United States primarily overland from Mexico in private and commercial vehicles. Cocaine is transported within the United States primarily via commercial and private vehicles but also by trains, buses, mail services, and couriers on commercial flights. The distribution of powder cocaine and crack occurs throughout the country, and the market for the drug appears to be stable overall. All Drug Enforcement Administration Field Divisions and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas report that powder cocaine is distributed in their areas, most report that crack cocaine is distributed particularly in inner cities, and some report that crack distribution is increasing in smaller towns and communities. The primary market areas for cocaine are Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.

Methamphetamine. The threat posed to the United States by the trafficking and abuse of methamphetamine is high and increasing. Methamphetamine availability is very high in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions. In the Great Lakes and Southeast regions, methamphetamine availability has increased to such a level that most state and local law enforcement agencies now report that availability of the drug is either high or moderate in their areas. Methamphetamine availability in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region is low but increasing. Despite wide-ranging reports of increasing availability, the number of methamphetamine-related Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigations and Drug Enforcement Administration arrests, as well as the amount of methamphetamine seized by federal agencies, all decreased from 2001 to 2002. Methamphetamine use appears to be highest among young adults, and the consequences of such use are trending upward.

Domestic methamphetamine production appears to be increasing. The number of methamphetamine laboratory seizures increased overall from 2002 to 2003, while the number of seizures of high-capacity superlabs appears to have remained stable. However, the Drug Enforcement Administration reports that methamphetamine production in Mexico--the primary foreign source area for the drug--appears to have increased.

Methamphetamine is transported primarily by Mexican criminal groups as well as gangs (including outlaw motorcycle gangs) and independent methamphetamine producers primarily via private vehicles and, to a much lesser extent, by mail services to drug markets throughout the country. Southeast Asian methamphetamine available in the United States typically is transported to the country via commercial air carriers primarily for distribution in Asian communities in western states. Methamphetamine distribution has expanded to include greater portions of the Great Lakes and Southeast regions as well as some areas of the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region. Mexican criminal groups control most methamphetamine distribution in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions and supply much of the wholesale methamphetamine to eastern states where Caucasian independent dealers and outlaw motorcycle gangs control midlevel and retail distribution of the drug. The primary market areas for methamphetamine are Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, and the Central States (Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri).

Marijuana. The trafficking and abuse of marijuana are a leading drug threat to the United States. The availability of marijuana is stable at high levels, and both law enforcement and public health agencies consistently identify marijuana as the most commonly used illicit drug in the country. The overall demand for marijuana is at high levels. Drug markets across the country are supplied with significant quantities of marijuana produced in foreign source areas (chiefly Mexico, but also Canada, Colombia, and Jamaica) as well as domestically. Marijuana transportation and subsequent distribution by a wide range of criminal groups, gangs, and independent dealers are commonplace throughout the country, resulting in an overall domestic market for marijuana that is strong and stable. Primary market areas for marijuana, based on national-level distribution only, include Chicago, Dallas/Houston, Los Angeles/San Diego, Miami, New York, Phoenix/Tucson, and Seattle.

Heroin. Heroin trafficking and abuse pose a significant drug threat to the country. Law enforcement reporting indicates that heroin remains readily available throughout most major metropolitan areas, and availability is increasing in many suburban and rural areas, particularly in the northeastern United States. Heroin from South America and Mexico is most prevalent in the United States, although lesser quantities of Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin are available.

The overall demand for heroin in the United States appears to be lower overall than for other major drugs of abuse such as cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and MDMA, and the rates of heroin use appear to be trending downward for most age groups. Estimates of worldwide heroin production increased considerably between 2001 and 2002 primarily because of increases in Afghanistan--a primary source of heroin destined for Europe. Heroin production estimates for Colombia and Mexico decreased, however. Heroin typically is smuggled into the country, either carried by couriers on commercial flights from source and transit countries or hidden in private and commercial vehicles driven across the U.S.-Mexico and, to a lesser extent, U.S.-Canada borders. Heroin is smuggled into the country via maritime conveyances and mail services as well. Heroin is distributed throughout all major metropolitan areas in the country by a wide range of criminal groups, gangs, and independent dealers, and distribution is increasing in suburban and rural areas. The primary market areas for heroin are Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and, on a smaller scale, Boston. Other significant heroin markets include Baltimore, Detroit, Miami, Newark, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

MDMA. MDMA trafficking and abuse represent a moderate threat to the United States. Law enforcement reporting indicates that MDMA is readily available in all regions of the country, particularly in metropolitan areas, and that availability is stable overall. National-level drug prevalence studies indicate that MDMA use is trending downward, particularly among adolescents.

Most of the MDMA available in the United States is produced in clandestine laboratories located in the Netherlands and Belgium. To a much lesser extent, MDMA is produced in other foreign countries, such as Canada and Mexico. Domestic MDMA production remains limited as evidenced by very few MDMA laboratory seizures. MDMA typically is smuggled directly from Europe to the United States primarily by couriers on commercial flights and via mail services; however, lesser amounts of MDMA are transported to the United States from Europe via Canada and Mexico. Israeli and Russian criminal groups and, to a lesser extent, Asian, Colombian, Dominican, Middle Eastern, and traditional organized crime groups control most wholesale MDMA distribution in the United States. These groups, along with African American gangs and Mexican criminal groups, also control most midlevel MDMA distribution in the country. Retail MDMA distribution typically occurs in venues such as rave parties, dance clubs, and bars. The primary market areas for MDMA are Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.

Pharmaceuticals. The diversion and abuse of pharmaceuticals, including narcotics, depressants, and stimulants, pose an increasing threat to the country. 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.

Pharmaceutical narcotics such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), and codeine are available and abused throughout the country. 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 pose the greatest threat.

The availability of depressants (including barbiturates and benzodiazepines) varies regionally. Alprazolam (Xanax) and diazepam (Valium) are among the most widely abused pharmaceutical depressants, particularly in the Southeast region.

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. In addition to adolescents, many young adults abuse these drugs; however, overall abuse appears to be stable.

Other Dangerous Drugs. The production, distribution, and abuse of other dangerous drugs, including the club drugs GHB, ketamine, and Rohypnol as well as the hallucinogens LSD, PCP, and psilocybin, pose only a moderate threat to the country overall. The availability and use of these drugs are moderate and relatively stable. Particularly popular among adolescents and young adults, other dangerous drugs 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.

Inhalants. The abuse of inhalants is a relatively low threat to the country; however, inhalant abuse, particularly among adolescents, is a concern among law enforcement and public health agencies. Common household products, including solvents, aerosols, gases, and nitrites, are legally available and are commonly misused as inhalants. Individuals of all ages use inhalants, but teens and young adults account for a large portion of the inhalant abuse in the United States.

Money Laundering. Traffickers of illicit drugs, primarily Colombian and Mexican criminal groups, launder their drug sale proceeds to minimize the risk of detection or seizure when using the funds. A principal method used to launder drug proceeds is the physical transportation of bulk currency and monetary instruments, such as money orders and checks, to destinations outside the United States. Drug proceeds also are laundered through money service businesses, including money remittance, money exchange, and check cashing firms. In addition, traffickers introduce their illicit proceeds into the U.S. financial system by structuring currency transactions in amounts that fall under threshold reporting requirements established by the Bank Secrecy Act, by co-opting cash-intensive businesses to commingle drug proceeds with legitimate funds, and by purchasing real estate, vehicles, and businesses. Another technique is for traffickers to consign their proceeds to money brokers who launder the funds for a fee or commission. This technique frees drug trafficking organizations or criminal groups of responsibility for the security and transportation of bulk proceeds, and it separates the traffickers from the laundering process.

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