MDMA

The trafficking and abuse of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) pose a moderate threat to the United States. Law enforcement reporting indicates that MDMA (also known as ecstasy) is readily available in all regions of the country, particularly in metropolitan areas, and that availability is stable overall. National-level drug prevalence data 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 and, to a much lesser extent, in other foreign countries such as Canada and Mexico. Domestic MDMA production remains limited, as evidenced by very few domestic MDMA laboratory seizures. MDMA typically is smuggled directly from Europe to the United States by couriers on commercial flights; however, lesser amounts of MDMA are transported to the United States via Canada and Mexico. Israeli criminal groups and, to a lesser extent, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Russian criminal groups control most wholesale MDMA distribution in the United States. Asian criminal groups, in particular, have sharply increased their influence over wholesale MDMA distribution over the past year. These groups, as well as African American gangs and Mexican criminal groups, 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.

NDTS 2003 data indicate that less than 1 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide identified MDMA as their greatest drug threat. Regionally, state and local law enforcement agencies in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region (1.7%) were more likely to identify MDMA as their greatest drug threat than agencies in the Great Lakes (1.0%), Southwest (0.8%), Southeast (0.5%), West Central (0.1%), and Pacific regions (0.0%).

MDMA abuse has short- and long-term health consequences. NIDA reports that MDMA is an amphetamine-type substance with both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Consequently, MDMA users often experience distorted time and perception. MDMA use increases heart rate and impairs the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently. The body is unable to effectively regulate internal temperature, and users may suffer seizures, heart damage or other cardiovascular complications as well as damage to the liver, kidneys, and skeletal muscle. NIDA further reports MDMA abuse may permanently inhibit the user's ability to produce serotonin--a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, sleep, pain, emotion, and appetite--resulting in chronic depression and anxiety.

MDMA abuse and trafficking typically are not associated with property crime or violent crime. NDTS 2003 data indicate that only 0.1 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide identified MDMA as the drug that most contributed to property crime in their areas. Similarly, only 0.2 percent reported that MDMA most contributed to violent crime in their areas.

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Availability

MDMA is available in all regions of the country. Law enforcement reporting indicates increasing MDMA availability while most other data (seizure, case initiation, indictment, and arrest) indicate stable to slightly decreasing availability. Nearly all DEA Field Divisions report that MDMA is readily available in their areas, and 12 of 21 report that MDMA availability is stable; however, 5 Field Divisions (Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C.) report significant increases in availability. All 33 HIDTAs report that MDMA is readily available in their areas, and 16 report that MDMA availability is increasing. Most (25 of 40) Pulse Check sources describe MDMA as readily or widely available in their areas, and approximately half reported that MDMA availability had increased in their areas between June 2001 and June 2002. Only two Pulse Check sources--Miami and Sioux Falls (SD)--reported a decrease in MDMA availability.

NDTS 2003 data reveal that 54.1 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide reported that MDMA availability is high or moderate in their areas, nearly unchanged from 54.4 percent in 2002. Agencies reporting low MDMA availability also remained relatively stable from 2002 (37.1%) to 2003 (39.6%). Regionally, a greater proportion of agencies in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic (63.0%) and Southeast (59.8%) regions reported high or moderate availability than those in the Pacific (50.7%), Southwest (50.7%), Great Lakes (49.5%), and West Central (42.2%) regions.

According to DEA's STRIDE data, the number of MDMA dosage units (du) submitted for testing decreased significantly from 5,466,534 dosage units in 2001 to 3,464,270 dosage units in 2002. FDSS data also show a sharp decrease in MDMA seizures by federal agencies, from 4,639,540 dosage units in 2001 to 3,495,960 dosage units in 2002.²⁰

NFLIS data indicate that MDMA accounts for only a small percentage of the drug items analyzed by state and local forensic laboratories nationwide. In 2002, MDMA represented 1 percent of the drug items analyzed by NFLIS reporting laboratories. NFLIS data indicate laboratories in the Northeast identified the most drug items containing MDMA followed by laboratories in the South, West, and Midwest. STRIDE data indicates that MDMA was identified in approximately 4 percent of the drug items analyzed by DEA laboratories in 2002.

The Department of Justice reports that MDMA was involved in 153 OCDETF investigations during FY2002, a decrease from 188 in FY2001, but still higher than 107 such investigations in FY2000. Moreover, the number of OCDETF indictments filed in which an MDMA trafficking offense was reported in the indictment also decreased, from 212 in 2001 to 191 in 2002. The number of DEA arrests for MDMA-related offenses also declined significantly, from 1,930 in 2001 to 1,346 in 2002. The proportion of MDMA-related arrests to all DEA arrests for any major drug decreased from 5.7 percent in 2001 to 4.7 percent in 2002.

MDMA tablets often vary in purity; however, DEA reports that most MDMA tablets weigh approximately 300 milligrams and contain between 70 and 120 milligrams of MDMA. Wholesale distributors sell MDMA tablets, usually in lots of 1,000 tablets, to midlevel distributors, generally charging between $5 and $17 per tablet. Midlevel wholesale distributors in turn sell MDMA tablets to retail distributors, usually in amounts ranging from 100 to 1,000 tablets, generally charging between $6 and $20 per tablet. Retail distributors sell the tablets to users for $10 to $75 per tablet--sometimes selling as many as 1,000 tablets per night.

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Demand

The demand for MDMA is high, particularly among young people. NSDUH data for 2002 indicate that 1.3 percent of individuals aged 12 or older--nearly 3.2 million people--used MDMA in the past year, the only year for which such data are available.

MDMA use among adults appears to be highest among young adults. MTF data show that MDMA use by young adults was statistically unchanged from 2001 to 2002. MTF reports that the rate of past year MDMA use by college students aged 19 to 22 was 9.2 percent in 2001 and 6.8 percent in 2002. Past year use of MDMA among young adults aged 19 to 28 was 7.5 percent in 2001 and 6.2 percent in 2002. NSDUH data for 2002 show that past year MDMA use was 5.8 percent for young adults aged 18 to 25 and 0.5 percent for adults aged 26 or older.

MDMA use among adolescents appears to be higher than that of adults; however, use among adolescents appears to be decreasing. MTF data for 2002 and 2003 show that decreases in the rates of past year MDMA use among eighth graders (2.9% and 2.1%), tenth graders (4.9% and 3.0%), and twelfth graders (7.4% and 4.5%) were statistically significant. NSDUH data for 2002 indicate that 0.2 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17 reported using MDMA within the past year.

PATS data show a slight decrease in past year use of MDMA among adolescents aged 12 to 17, from 10 percent in 2001 to 9 percent in 2002. PRIDE data for the 2002-2003 school year suggest rates of past year use of MDMA were much higher among older students than younger students. Past year MDMA use among junior high students (3.1%) was less than half of that for senior high students (6.7%) and twelfth graders (8.9%).

According to PATS data, there is an increase in the perceived risk associated with MDMA use among adolescents. PATS data indicate that the proportion of adolescents aged 12 to 17 who perceived great risk in trying MDMA once or twice increased from 42 percent in 2001 to 45 percent in 2002. Similarly, the proportion of those aged 12 to 17 who perceived great risk in the regular use of MDMA increased from 72 percent in 2001 to 76 percent in 2002. 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. MTF data indicate that in 2003, 41.9 percent of eighth grade students, 49.7 percent of tenth grade students, and 56.3 percent of twelfth grade students perceived such a risk, an increase for all groups from 38.9 percent, 43.5 percent, and 52.2 percent, respectively, in 2002. The increases for tenth and twelfth graders were statistically significant.

The consequences associated with MDMA use appear to be decreasing. DAWN data indicate that the estimated number of ED mentions for MDMA decreased sharply from 5,542 in 2001 to 4,026 in 2002. In 2002, most ED mentions (2,294) were attributed to young adults aged 18 to 25, followed by users aged 6 to 17 (731), adults aged 26 to 34 (680), and adults aged 35 and older (315).

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Production

Most of the MDMA available in the United States is clandestinely produced in Europe--particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium. MDMA also is produced in Asia, Canada, Mexico, and South America; however, only limited quantities of MDMA produced in these areas are destined for U.S. markets. Domestic MDMA production is very limited. The quantity of MDMA produced in source areas is largely unknown because of unsubstantiated or inclusive data concerning laboratory capacity estimates and limitations in seizure data.

The Netherlands is the primary source country for much of the MDMA consumed in the United States. Illicit MDMA laboratories in the Netherlands often are operated by Dutch chemists and are capable of producing as much as 30 kilograms of MDMA per production cycle. According to DEA, Dutch law enforcement seized 23 MDMA-related laboratories in the Netherlands in 1999 and seized at least 23 such laboratories in 2000, the most recent year for which such data are available. MDMA laboratories usually are located in rural areas of the southern provinces of the Netherlands; however, DEA reports that MDMA laboratories increasingly are being seized in rural areas of the northern provinces of the Netherlands as well. DEA and the U.S. Department of State report that law enforcement pressure may be causing some clandestine MDMA producers in the Netherlands to relocate their laboratories to Belgium and possibly northern Germany.

Belgium is a significant source of MDMA available in U.S. markets. Belgian and Dutch MDMA producers are predominant in Belgium; however, DEA reports that Asian criminal groups also may be producing the drug in Belgian laboratories. Most laboratories seized by Belgian law enforcement are capable of producing multiple-kilogram quantities of MDMA per production cycle. For example, in 2002 Belgian and Dutch law enforcement seized a Belgian MDMA laboratory in the process of producing 50 to 60 kilograms of MDMA powder. Belgian authorities reported 4 MDMA laboratory seizures in 1999 and 11 laboratory seizures in 2000, the most recent year for which such data are available. Belgian authorities further report that MDMA production in Belgium may be increasing.

MDMA production occurs in other European countries, including Germany and Poland, but to a much lesser extent than in the Netherlands and Belgium. MDMA produced in European countries other than the Netherlands and Belgium does not appear to be available in significant quantities in U.S. markets. The U.S. Department of State reports that although some MDMA laboratories operate in Germany, MDMA production in Germany remains minimal. A significant amount of MDMA is produced in Poland, but it is primarily consumed in Europe.

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MDMA is produced in Asia, primarily in China and Indonesia. However, very little information is available concerning MDMA production in Asian countries; there are no generally accepted estimates as to the amount of MDMA produced or the number of MDMA laboratories operating in these countries. There also is little indication that any significant amount of Asia-produced MDMA is available in U.S. drug markets.

Illicit MDMA production is likely occurring in Mexico, Central America, and South America, although the amount of MDMA produced in these areas appears to be very limited. However, over the past 3 years high-capacity MDMA laboratories have been seized in Belize, Colombia, Mexico, and Suriname. Despite reports of limited current MDMA production, law enforcement reporting indicates that several criminal groups in Latin America may be planning to increase MDMA production for distribution in the United States.

Limited amounts of MDMA are produced in Canada; however, an increase in laboratory seizures may indicate increasing MDMA production in the country. Nine reported MDMA laboratory seizures occurred in Canada in 1999, 7 in 2000, 4 in 2001, and 20 in 2002. MDMA laboratories have been seized in British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec; several of the seized laboratories have been operated by Asian criminal groups. While most MDMA laboratories seized in Canada have limited production capability, some larger laboratories have been seized. For example, Canadian authorities in Ottawa seized an MDMA laboratory in January 2003 that contained more than 875 pounds of sassafras oil, a source of the MDMA precursor safrole--enough to produce 1.5 million MDMA tablets--and a 10-stage tablet press.

Clandestine MDMA laboratories seized by U.S. law enforcement generally were capable of producing only small amounts (gram quantities) of the drug per production cycle, although a few were capable of producing kilogram quantities. The number of domestic MDMA laboratories seized over the past 2 years has remained relatively stable. NCLSS data show that law enforcement agencies reported 12 domestic MDMA laboratory seizures in 2002 compared with 10 seizures in 2001. In 2002, MDMA laboratory seizures were reported in Missouri (3), California (2), Florida (2), Pennsylvania (2), Arkansas (1), Kansas (1), and Michigan (1). In 2001, MDMA laboratory seizures were reported in California (5), Arizona (1), Connecticut (1), Kansas (1), Maine (1), and North Carolina (1).

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Transportation

Most of the MDMA available in the United States is transported from Europe to the United States by couriers on commercial flights, via mail and package delivery services and, to a lesser extent, by air cargo and maritime vessel. MDMA couriers traveling aboard commercial flights depart from major European airports and often transit other countries, such as Canada, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, en route to the United States. These couriers typically transport thousands of MDMA tablets at a time, concealing them in luggage, sewing them into their clothes, taping them to their bodies and, in some cases, ingesting them. MDMA smuggled by mail and parcel delivery services is generally shipped from Europe directly to markets throughout the United States. MDMA concealed among air cargo usually is smuggled into New York City or Miami area airports. The extent of MDMA transportation to the United States from Europe via maritime vessel is unknown; only a small amount of the drug was seized from vessels in 2002. Significant amounts of MDMA are smuggled into the United States from Canada in private vehicles, by couriers traveling on foot, and by couriers on commercial bus lines. Limited amounts of the drug are smuggled into the United States from Mexico.

According to seizure data collected by EPIC, the number of MDMA dosage units seized at POEs arriving from foreign source or transit countries has decreased sharply from 8,071,127 in 2000, to 6,699,882 in 2001, to 3,395,036 in 2002. Most of the seized tablets were transported on commercial flights--including those sent by mail, air cargo, and package delivery services. Lesser amounts were transported by private and commercial vehicles from Canada and Mexico. Private aircraft and commercial maritime vessels were also used. EPIC reports that of the 3,395,036 MDMA tablets seized in 2002, approximately 3,229,311 were transported via commercial air carriers, 103,925 via private and commercial vehicles, and 61,800 via commercial maritime vessels. Similarly, EPIC data show that of the 6,699,882 MDMA tablets seized in 2001 arriving from foreign source or transit countries, 6,187,601 were transported via commercial air carriers, 279,119 via private and commercial vehicles, and 233,162 via commercial maritime vessels.

Israeli and, to a lesser extent, Russian criminal groups control most wholesale MDMA transportation from Europe to the United States; however, Asian, Colombian, and Dominican criminal groups recently have increased their involvement in MDMA transportation from Europe. MDMA generally is transported to the United States by these groups via couriers on commercial flights or by mail and package delivery services. MDMA also is transported to the United States concealed in cargo on commercial flights, aboard maritime vessels, and by private and commercial vehicles crossing the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders.

Couriers on commercial flights use various routes to smuggle MDMA to the United States. Couriers most often fly directly from Europe to the United States; however, many couriers transit one of several other countries, particularly Canada, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, en route to the United States.

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MDMA couriers on commercial flights typically conceal the drug in their luggage, inside their clothing, or taped to their bodies. Some couriers also ingest latex pellets containing MDMA tablets. Couriers who smuggle MDMA in their checked luggage typically conceal between 5,000 and 60,000 MDMA tablets in the sides of their luggage or in items contained inside the luggage. Couriers who conceal MDMA inside their clothing often insert it under spandex shorts and typically smuggle approximately 12,000 tablets per trip; however, some couriers have been intercepted carrying more than 20,000 MDMA tablets. Couriers who smuggle MDMA into the United States by taping packages of the drug to their bodies typically transport between 8,000 and 30,000 tablets per trip. Couriers who ingest latex pellets containing MDMA typically transport between 17 and 130 pellets, with each pellet containing between 40 and 50 MDMA tablets.

Israeli and Russian criminal groups as well as Dominican criminal groups operating in Europe often recruit MDMA couriers in the United States, Europe, and the Dominican Republic. These criminal groups typically recruit male and female couriers between 30 and 50 years of age. Couriers from the United States often are recruited from New York City, New Jersey, and Florida. Couriers from Europe often are recruited from the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain.

Many MDMA tablets are smuggled into the United States via mail parcel or by air cargo. MDMA tablets smuggled through mail and package delivery services often are wrapped in opaque plastic or concealed inside clothing, household goods, and furniture. Seizure data indicate that MDMA transported via mail and package delivery services often is shipped in 10,000- to 30,000-tablet lots; however, as many as 60,000 and 70,000 MDMA tablets have been seized from single shipments. MDMA smuggled in cargo transported on commercial flights is often concealed among large items such as car parts or engines.

EPIC seizure data indicate that most MDMA seizures from commercial flights including air cargo and mail in 2002 occurred at New York's JFK International Airport (913,095 du), Miami International Airport (797,457 du), and Newark Liberty International Airport (498,283 du). Significant amounts of MDMA also were seized at Philadelphia International Airport (282,813 du), Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport (135,316 du), Boston's Logan International Airport (130,246 du), and Los Angeles International Airport (92,250 du).

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Once MDMA arrives in the United States on commercial flights, it is transported throughout the country by various means. Couriers who transport MDMA from Europe to the United States on commercial flights often deliver the drug to an individual at a location near the airport, who further transports the drug to midlevel or retail distributors by mail or package delivery services, by private vehicles and, to a lesser extent, by bus, train, or commercial air carrier. Some couriers arriving from Europe maintain possession of the tablets, traveling to other U.S. cities on domestic flights, commercial bus lines, or passenger trains before delivering the tablets to individuals who transport the drug to midlevel or retail distributors.

Lesser amounts of MDMA also enter the United States via commercial maritime vessels. In 2002, 61,800 MDMA tablets destined for the United States were seized from commercial maritime vessels in two incidents. EPIC reports that although a relatively small number of MDMA tablets were seized from maritime vessels in 2002, intelligence community reporting indicates that traffickers sent or attempted to send several million MDMA tablets from the Netherlands and Belgium to the United States on commercial maritime vessels during the year.

MDMA is smuggled into the United States across the U.S.-Canada and the U.S.-Mexico borders; however, most of this MDMA originates in Europe and transits these countries en route to U.S. drug markets. Israeli, Russian, and Asian criminal groups transport MDMA from Europe to Canada via couriers on commercial flights and mail and package delivery services. These groups, as well as some independent dealers and OMGs, smuggle the drug across the U.S.-Canada border primarily in private and commercial vehicles, although some MDMA is smuggled by couriers aboard private and commercial flights, by mail and package delivery services, by maritime vessels, and by couriers on foot.

MDMA smuggled into the United States from Canada often enters the country through the Blaine (WA), Buffalo, Champlain (NY), Detroit, and Sault Ste. Marie (MI) POEs. MDMA smuggled over the U.S.-Canada border is often destined for markets in the West Central, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, Pacific, and Southeast regions. For example, law enforcement agencies in Albany, Atlanta, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Florence (SC), New York City, Providence (RI), Sacramento, and Seattle report that MDMA smuggled across the U.S.-Canada border in private vehicles is distributed within their areas.

Israeli criminal groups also transport MDMA from Europe to Mexico, particularly to Cancun, Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, for transport into the United States. Thereafter, MDMA is mostly smuggled by private and commercial vehicles into the United States, primarily through the Calexico (CA), San Ysidro (CA), Brownsville (TX), El Paso (TX), and Laredo (TX) POEs. MDMA smuggled into the United States from Mexico often is destined for markets in California and southwestern states. For example, law enforcement agencies in Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Diego report that MDMA smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border is distributed within their areas.

Domestically produced MDMA typically is transported to local markets via private vehicles.

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Distribution

MDMA is distributed in all regions of the United States, and law enforcement reporting indicates that distribution of the drug appears to be relatively stable to slightly increasing. All DEA Field Divisions and HIDTAs report that MDMA distribution is either stable or increasing in their areas. MDMA distribution appears to be most prevalent in urban areas, beach resort areas, and at or near colleges and universities. State and local law enforcement agencies along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts report that MDMA distribution increases when college-age students visit their areas during the spring and summer. State and local law enforcement agencies in Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Missouri report that local colleges serve as distribution centers for MDMA distributed throughout their areas.

Israeli and Russian criminal groups control most wholesale MDMA distribution in the United States; however, Asian, Colombian, Dominican, Middle Eastern, and traditional organized crime groups also distribute wholesale quantities of MDMA. Asian criminal groups distribute wholesale quantities of MDMA in states such as Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. Colombian criminal groups distribute wholesale amounts of MDMA in states including Florida and New York. Dominican wholesale distributors are particularly active in Florida and Puerto Rico and in northeastern states such as Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. Law enforcement reporting reveals that Middle Eastern groups distribute wholesale quantities of MDMA in Michigan, and traditional organized crime groups distribute wholesale quantities of the drug in Colorado, Florida, and New York. Wholesale distributors often sell MDMA in lots of 50,000 tablets.

Criminal groups distributing wholesale amounts of MDMA often are responsible for midlevel distribution as well. Additionally, African American and Mexican criminal groups distribute midlevel amounts of MDMA in various states. African American criminal groups have been identified as midlevel MDMA distributors in Maryland, and Mexican criminal groups have been identified as midlevel distributors in Arizona, Colorado, and Texas. Midlevel distributors generally sell MDMA to retail distributors in lots up to 5,000 tablets.

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Law enforcement reporting indicates that Caucasian males aged 18 to 30 control most retail distribution of MDMA. Caucasian retail MDMA distributors typically are independent dealers; however, retail distribution by organized groups is increasing. For example, law enforcement reporting indicates that Asian street gangs are now distributing MDMA at the retail level in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Washington, D.C.

Street gangs also are active in retail MDMA distribution. In fact, NDTS 2003 data show that 8.5 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies report high or moderate involvement of street gangs in MDMA distribution. Hispanic street gangs reportedly are distributing retail quantities of MDMA in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia; African American street gangs distribute the drug in Georgia, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Members of OMGs also have become somewhat involved in MDMA distribution. According to NDTS 2003 data, 3.3 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies report that OMGs are involved in the distribution of MDMA in their areas. Law enforcement reporting indicates that members of OMGs distribute retail amounts of MDMA in Massachusetts and North Carolina.

Retail distribution of MDMA generally occurs where teens and young adults congregate. Rave parties, dance clubs, and bars are most often cited by law enforcement agencies as locations for MDMA distribution. In addition, law enforcement agencies often report that MDMA distribution frequently occurs on college campuses, at high schools, and private parties. Outdoor (street corner) MDMA distribution occurs throughout the country. Pulse Check sources in Baltimore, Billings (MT), Columbia (SC), Denver, El Paso, Honolulu, Memphis, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, Portland (ME), St. Louis, and Sioux Falls (SD) report that MDMA is sold outdoors in their areas. An increasing number of law enforcement agencies also report that distributors in their areas sell MDMA along with other drugs such as cocaine, crack, and marijuana.

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Primary Market Areas

Reporting from public health and law enforcement agencies reveals that Los Angeles, Miami, and New York are the primary market areas for MDMA. These metropolitan areas are designated primary market areas for MDMA because of a high level of demand for the drug and the large amount of MDMA distributed from these areas to other MDMA markets throughout the country.

Figure 13.  Primary Market Areas: MDMA

Los Angeles. Available data indicate that the demand for MDMA in Los Angeles remains high and stable. DAWN data show that the estimated number of ED mentions for MDMA fluctuated from 177 in 2000, to 142 in 2001, to 176 in 2002, ranking Los Angeles second only to Philadelphia among DAWN reporting cities. Los Angeles has reported a rate of two ED mentions per 100,000 population for MDMA each of the past 3 reporting years (2000-2002). According to CEWG, MDMA use in Los Angeles County is increasing.

Most MDMA available in Los Angeles is transported to the city from Las Vegas or directly from Western Europe by couriers on commercial flights and by mail services. Los Angeles is a source of wholesale and midlevel amounts of MDMA to drug markets throughout the country, primarily those in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions. MDMA is transported from Los Angeles by couriers on commercial domestic flights to cities such as Columbus (OH), Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and St. Louis. MDMA from Los Angeles is transported via private vehicle to drug markets in California (along I-5 and US 101) and southwestern states (along I-10 and I-20) including those in Dallas, Houston, Oakland, Phoenix, and San Francisco. MDMA is transported from Los Angeles via mail or package delivery services to cities nationwide including Baltimore, Dallas, Detroit, Honolulu, Kansas City (MO), Nashville, and Phoenix. MDMA is transported from Los Angeles by couriers on passenger buses to cities including New York City.

Israeli and Russian traffickers control wholesale distribution of MDMA within Los Angeles. Midlevel and retail distributors of MDMA in Los Angles usually are Caucasian males and typically are independent dealers. Most of the retail distribution of MDMA in Los Angeles occurs at rave parties, nightclubs, and colleges, although Pulse Check sources report increasing retail MDMA distribution at private parties and residences.

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Miami. Drug demand studies and reporting from public health sources indicate that the demand for MDMA in Miami remains at high levels. DAWN data reveal that the estimated number of ED mentions for MDMA in Miami decreased significantly from 184 in 2001 to 135 in 2002; however, Miami remained fourth among all DAWN reporting cities in total ED mentions for MDMA. Concurrent with the decrease in total ED mentions for MDMA in Miami was a decrease in the rate of ED mentions for MDMA, from 9 per 100,000 population in 2001 to 6 per 100,000 in 2002. DAWN ME data do not separately list MDMA-related deaths; however, club drug-related deaths, including those for MDMA, have increased from 5 in 1999, to 9 in 2000, to 15 in 2001, ranking Miami second among all DAWN reporting cities. Pulse Check sources report that MDMA abuse in Miami is stable. CEWG representatives report that MDMA use by Caucasians in Miami remains at relatively high levels, and abuse is increasing within other ethnic groups; such groups were not identified.

Wholesale amounts of MDMA are smuggled from Western Europe to Miami, often via the Dominican Republic, primarily by couriers on commercial flights, mail services, and air cargo. MDMA is transported from Miami to regions throughout the United States by commercial air carriers, private vehicles, mail and package delivery services, passenger buses, and trains. Law enforcement reporting and seizure data indicate that couriers on domestic commercial flights transport MDMA from Miami to cities such as Anchorage (AK), Kansas City (MO), Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. MDMA also is transported via private vehicle from Miami along highways such as Interstates 95 and 75 to drug markets including those in Jacksonville, Myrtle Beach (SC), Nashville, and Norfolk. MDMA from Miami is transported via mail and package delivery services to cities such as Boston, Kansas City (MO), Los Angeles, Nashville, and Toledo (OH). Couriers also transport MDMA from Miami via passenger bus to destinations such as Myrtle Beach and by Amtrak trains to cities including Fort Collins (CO).

Israeli and Russian criminal groups control most wholesale MDMA distribution in Miami; however, Colombian and Dominican criminal groups also distribute wholesale and midlevel quantities of the drug. Retail MDMA distributors typically are Caucasian independent dealers who distribute MDMA at raves, dance clubs, college campuses, high schools, and private parties; however, law enforcement reporting indicates that street sales of MDMA in Miami by Hispanic street gangs are increasing.

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New York City. Despite a possible decrease in demand for MDMA, New York City likely remains the largest MDMA market in the country. DAWN data show that the estimated number of ED mentions for MDMA has decreased each year, from 200 in 2000, to 172 in 2001, to 143 in 2002, ranking New York third among all DAWN cities. While the number of ED mentions has declined, the rate of such mentions has remained stable at 2 per 100,000 population each year during that period. CEWG and Pulse Check sources report that MDMA abuse in New York City appears to be stable.

Most of the MDMA entering New York City is transported from Western Europe to JFK International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport by couriers as well as via mail services and air cargo. MDMA is transported via commercial air carriers, private vehicles, mail and package delivery services, and trains to several secondary markets throughout the United States. MDMA is transported from New York City on domestic flights to cities such as Kansas City (MO), Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Juan (PR), Seattle, and Tampa. MDMA is transported from New York City in private vehicles via highways such as Interstates 95 and 80 to drug markets including those in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Greensboro (NC), Las Vegas, Nashville, Miami, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. MDMA is transported via mail and package delivery services from New York City to cities such as Atlanta, Cleveland, Kansas City (MO), Los Angeles, Nashville, and Seattle. Couriers also transport MDMA from New York City aboard Amtrak trains to drug markets including those in Chicago, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.

Israeli and Russian criminal groups control most wholesale MDMA distribution within New York City. However, law enforcement reporting indicates that Asian, Colombian, and Dominican criminal groups as well as members of traditional organized crime also distribute wholesale amounts of MDMA in New York City. Midlevel and retail distributors in New York City generally are independent dealers, typically adolescents and young adults. Most retail distribution in New York City occurs at bars, college campuses, concerts, dance clubs, private parties, and raves. Law enforcement reporting indicates that only limited amounts of outdoor (street corner) retail MDMA distribution occur in New York City.

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Key Developments

Asian criminal groups and gangs increasingly are distributing MDMA in U.S. drug markets. Law enforcement reporting indicates that wholesale MDMA distribution by Asian criminal groups has increased in the Great Lakes, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, Pacific, Southeast, and Southwest regions. Retail MDMA distribution by Asian criminal groups and gangs also has increased, particularly within the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southwest, and West Central regions. Many of the Asian criminal groups and gangs distributing MDMA are of Vietnamese origin; however, others include those of Chinese and Laotian origin. Law enforcement reporting indicates that the MDMA tablets distributed by these groups usually are produced in Europe and transported directly to the United States or smuggled through a transit country such as Canada.

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Projections

Overall demand for MDMA likely will remain stable or possibly decline in the near term. Demand indicators, including both drug prevalence and consequence studies, indicate that MDMA use by adolescents and young adults--the primary users of MDMA--likely peaked in 2001 and has since declined. Attitude tracking studies also indicate an increase in the number of adolescents that perceive great risks in using MDMA, a potential reversal of a previously widespread perception that MDMA was a relatively safe drug.

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End Note

20. Note: MDMA seizure statistics were not regularly maintained before 2001.

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