UNCLASSIFIED

2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

LETTER FROM THE

ACTING ADMINISTRATOR

It is my privilege to present the 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA),

a comprehensive strategic assessment produced by the Drug Enforcement

Administration’s (DEA) Intelligence Program to inform U.S. policymakers

and the American public about the threat posed by drug trafficking and

associated transnational organized crime in the United States.

Drug trafficking imperils the safety and security of all Americans. The

criminals who engage in drug trafficking fuel the epidemic of drug abuse

and addiction in our country — and profit from it — while feeding the

violence that plagues many of our communities.

Although we have made progress in driving down the abuse of controlled

prescription opioids, the United States continues to face challenges from

both new and persistent threats. Availability and use of cheap and highly

potent fentanyl has increased, and methamphetamine has flooded into the

United States across the southern border. Mexican transnational criminal organizations continue to supply

most of the cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl smuggled into the country, while violent street

gangs dominate the retail sale and distribution of these illicit drugs at the local level.

Every day, DEA works hand-in-hand with our international, federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement

partners to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug trafficking organizations in the United States

and around the world. Together, DEA and our partners are confronting these threats head on, and have

redoubled our efforts to keep Americans safe through increased focus on countering opioid trafficking and

enforcement initiatives such as Project Python and Operation Crystal Shield. The results of these efforts are

staggering, with more than 28,000 pounds of methamphetamine and millions of counterfeit pills containing

fentanyl seized, over 2,600 targets arrested, and hundreds of firearms taken off the streets.

DEA is also committed to building partnerships with public health professionals to help turn the tide against

the growing wave of overdoses that are occurring in our communities. Provisional data released by the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in December 2020 indicated that overdose deaths continue

to rise amid the global pandemic, causing unimaginable suffering and further complicating prevention,

enforcement, and treatment efforts.

Only by working together — law enforcement, public health officials, educators, and community advocates —

can we develop and implement the innovative solutions required to overcome this public health crisis.

Respectfully,

D. Christopher Evans

Acting Administrator

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration

UNCLASSIFIED

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

SCOPE AND METHODOLOGY

The 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) is a comprehensive assessment of the

threat posed to the United States by the trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs, the diversion

and abuse of licit drugs, and the laundering of proceeds generated through illicit drug

sales. It also addresses the role domestic groups, including organized violent gangs, serve

in domestic drug trafficking. The most widely trafficked drugs are discussed in terms of

their availability, consumption and overdose related deaths, production and cultivation,

transportation, and distribution.

The report provides strategic analysis of the domestic drug situation during 2019 and

the first half of 2020. This assessment is prepared through detailed analysis of the most

recent law enforcement, intelligence, and public health data available to counterdrug

agencies through the date of publication. To evaluate the threat of illicit drugs, analysts

considered quantitative and qualitative information. Qualitative information on seizures,

investigations, arrests, laboratory analyses, drug purity or potency, and price were

considered. Qualitative information pertaining to the presence and level of domestic and

foreign criminal activity, general trends in production or cultivation levels, involvement of

organized criminal groups, and other related safety hazards, environmental effects, and

associated criminal activity were also considered. The evaluation of the domestic use of

illicit drugs was based on accepted data captured in national substance abuse indicators.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The trafficking and abuse of illicit drugs inflict tremendous harm upon individuals, families, and

communities throughout the United States. The violence, intimidation, theft, and financial crimes

carried out by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), criminal groups, and violent gangs pose

a significant threat to our nation. The criminal activities of these organizations operating in the

United States extend well beyond drug trafficking and have a profoundly negative impact on the safety

and security of U.S. citizens. Their involvement in alien smuggling, firearms trafficking, and public

corruption, coupled with the high levels of violence that result from these criminal endeavors, poses

serious homeland security threats and public safety concerns.

Mexican TCOs are the greatest drug trafficking threat to the United States; they control most of the

U.S. drug market and have established varied transportation routes, have advanced communications

capabilities, and hold strong affiliations with criminal groups and gangs in the United States.

Illicit fentanyl^a—produced in foreign clandestine laboratories and trafficked into the United States in

powder and pill form—is primarily responsible for fueling the ongoing opioid crisis. Fentanyl-laced

counterfeit pills continue to be trafficked across the country and remain significant contributors to

the rates of overdose deaths observed across the country. As inexpensive, potent fentanyl continues

to push into established heroin markets, fentanyl will augment, and in some cases supplant, white

powder heroin in various domestic markets.

Methamphetamine price and purity data, as well as law enforcement reporting, all indicate

methamphetamine continues to be readily available throughout the United States. Seizures along

with drug poisoning deaths involving methamphetamine continue to rise—purity and potency remain

high while prices remain relatively low.

Availability of cocaine throughout the United States remains steady, likely based on the high levels of

coca cultivation and cocaine production in the Andean Region of South America. Leading indicators

of cocaine availability, including laboratory analysis of cocaine exhibits, cocaine seizure data, and

price and purity of the drug, indicate that cocaine availability is steady.

Controlled Prescription Drugs (CPDs)^b remain a prevalent concern within the United States—

availability remains constant while abuse levels decreased from the previous year. CPD diversion

continues to decrease across most categories at the national level, but some states report an

increase in the number of incidents. The number of opioid dosage units available on the retail

market and opioid thefts and losses reached their lowest levels in nine years.

Mexico remains the most significant foreign source for marijuana in the United States; however, in

U.S. markets, Mexican marijuana has largely been supplanted by domestic-produced marijuana.

a. The term “fentanyl” will be used throughout this document to mean illicit or clandestinely produced fentanyl unless otherwise specified.

b. CPDs include, but are not limited to, opioids (e.g. Vicodin, OxyContin), depressants (e.g. Valium, Xanax), stimulants (e.g. Adderall, Ritalin), and anabolic

steroids (e.g. Anadrol, Oxandrin).

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

The demand market for New Psychoactive Substances (NPSs) is typified by new substances

constantly being created and marketed to users. Synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones

are the most common classes of NPSs available and abused in the United States; however, there are

many other classes of NPSs including opioids^c, phenethylamines, tryptamines, benzodiazepines, and

piperazines.

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions on daily travel, U.S. border

closings, closure of nonessential businesses, and the broad shelter-in-place orders temporarily

posed new challenges to criminal organizations and their movement of drugs throughout the

United States during the first half of 2020. Global drug markets reported fluctuations in pricing,

availability, transportation, and distribution of illicit drugs during the initial stages of the pandemic

in the spring of 2020. Despite initial disruptions in drug smuggling, transportation, and distribution,

TCOs operating throughout foreign countries and in the United States continued to test new methods

and use existing techniques to continue operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

c. Synthetic opioids, as a class of New Psychoactive Substances, include fentanyl-related compounds in addition to other synthetic drugs. Given the

threat posed by fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances/fentanyl analogues, those substances are discussed in their own section of this report.

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ILLICIT OPIOIDS & HEROIN

reported the same in 2018, demonstrating

Overview

fentanyl’s continued impact on the illicit drug

Nearly 70 percent of all drug overdose deaths

market.

in the United States in 2018 involved an opioid.

Deaths involving synthetic opioids other than

In 2019, the majority of DEA Field Divisions

methadone—the category which includes

indicated that heroin was easily obtained at any

fentanyl—increased by 10 percent according

time. DEA’s hybrid Caribbean Field Division—

to data provided by the Centers for Disease

with domestic and foreign offices—reported that

Control and Prevention (CDC). While deaths

while heroin remained moderately available

involving heroin decreased by four percent,

when compared to 2018, heroin seizures

heroin continues to pose a serious public health

throughout the entire Division declined in

and safety threat. The domestic markets for

2019. DEA’s Miami and Houston Field Divisions

heroin, fentanyl, and other illicit synthetic opioids

reported that heroin was more available in their

overlap, as these substances disproportionately

area of responsibility (AOR) than in the previous

affect the Great Lakes and Northeast regions

reporting period. DEA’s El Paso, New Orleans,

of the United States. Mexican TCOs have

and San Diego Field Divisions reported that

established clandestine laboratories in Mexico

heroin availability within their respective AORs

for the synthesis of fentanyl, and Mexican

remained at the same moderate level as in

authorities have encountered a rise in illegal

2018, meaning that heroin was generally readily

fentanyl pill press and tableting operations.

accessible.

Likewise, Mexican TCOs are responsible for the

Reporting from forensic laboratories across

production and trafficking across the Southwest

the United States continues to show a rise in

Border (SWB) of the overwhelming majority of

fentanyl availability while reports of heroin show

the heroin available in the United States.

a decline. In 2019, National Forensic Laboratory

Information System (NFLIS)^d crime laboratory

Availability

data (NFLIS-Drug)^e reflected 100,378 fentanyl

Fentanyl continues to be readily available across

reports identified by forensic laboratories,

the country with 17 of DEA’s 23 Field Divisions

representing a 12 percent increase over 2018

indicating that fentanyl availability was high

(See Figure 1). In 2019, there were 128,267

in 2019. Nearly all DEA Field Divisions that

reports of heroin to NFLIS-Drug, a 13 percent

reported high fentanyl availability in 2019 also

d. The National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is a DEA program that systematically collects results of forensic analyses, and other

related information, from local, regional, and national entities. The program consists of three components (NFLIS-Drug, NFLIS-Tox, and NFLIS-MEC)

that complement each other to provide a holistic picture of the drugs analyzed by the U.S. forensic community.

e. NFLIS-Drug is a comprehensive information system that includes data from forensic laboratories that handle the Nation’s drug analysis cases. NFLIS-

Drug includes information on the specific substance and the characteristics of drug evidence, such as purity, quantity, and drug combinations. NFLIS-

Drug does not include data from handheld presumptive testing devices as these fall outside the scope of NFLIS eligible data.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 1. Fentanyl Reports to NFLIS-Drug, 2014 - 2019

seized in Texas, California, Arizona,

and New York. California, Texas and

Arizona are all major entry points

for heroin sourced from Mexico and

also serve as transshipment points

for the onward movement of heroin

to domestic markets throughout the

United States. New York is regarded as

the most significant heroin market and

distribution hub in the United States.

Source: National Forensic Laboratory Information System-Drug

Retrieved July 10, 2020

Other states with large quantities of

decrease from 148,177 reports of heroin in

heroin seized include New Jersey, Illinois, and

2018.

Pennsylvania. In 2019, DEA fentanyl seizures

reached the highest recorded levels since at

NFLIS-Drug data for 2019 shows the fentanyl

least 2015. DEA recorded seizures totaling

and heroin markets remain intertwined at the

3,138 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl-related

state level.^f Four of the five states with the

compoundsⁱ (FRCs) in 2019. States with the

most fentanyl reports are also the same states

with the most heroin reports:

New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and

Figure 2. Heroin Reports to NFLIS-Drug by State, 2019

Pennsylvania (See Figure 2).^g,h

Even as fentanyl availability has

noticeably increased, heroin

remains the most frequently

reported opioid in NFLIS-Drug,

thus maintaining a significant

presence in the U.S. drug market.

Heroin availability remains high

in the United States, especially

in the Great Lakes, Midwest,

and Northeast regions, where

the largest white powder heroin

markets are located. DEA Field

Divisions seized 6,951 kilograms

of heroin in 2019, a 30 percent

increase from 2018, with the

Source: DEA

largest amounts of heroin

f. For more detailed information on the databases used in this report and their caveats please see Appendix C.

g. The five states that submitted the most fentanyl reports in 2019 were, in descending order: Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New

York.

h. The five states that submitted the most heroin reports in 2019 were, in descending order: California, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.

i. Fentanyl-related compounds include any substance related in chemical structure to fentanyl, such as acetyl fentanyl, carfentanil, and the fentanyl-

related substances subject to emergency controls as defined in 21 CFR 1308.11(h)(30). For the purposes of this report, fentanyl is discussed

separately from fentanyl-related compounds.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 3. DEA Fentanyl Seizures by State, 2019

public health resources

in areas already afflicted

with high levels of heroin-

involved overdoses.

DEA’s Special Testing and

Research Laboratory’s

(STRL) Fentanyl Signature

Profiling Program (FSPP)

analysis conducted

on wholesale seizures

(generally seizures

greater than one

kilogram) indicate that

heroin is rarely mixed

with fentanyl at the

wholesale level. This

points to the likelihood

Source: DEA

that U.S.-based drug

greatest amount of fentanyl seized in 2019 were

trafficking organizations (DTOs) and dealers are

either clustered along the SWB, or were located

responsible for mixing fentanyl with heroin at the

in the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, and Northeast

regional and local levels for retail consumption.

areas of the United States, according to DEA

Combining only a small quantity of fentanyl into

reporting (See Figure 3). This concentration

heroin allows dealers to maximize profitability by

of heroin and fentanyl seizures in these areas

extending heroin supplies.

demonstrates the ongoing trafficking from SWB

Analysis conducted on retail level heroin

states into the rest of the country.

seizures by the STRL under the Heroin Domestic

The domestic market for fentanyl overlaps

Monitor Program (HDMP) indicates that Mexico-

with most of the major white powder heroin

sourced heroin dominates retail heroin markets

markets. However, in select areas, law

throughout the United States. This same

enforcement and public health officials report

analysis further indicates that heroin mixed with

fentanyl is either supplanting or has surpassed

other controlled substances, mostly fentanyl,

a significant portion of the pre-established

is increasingly widespread at the retail level.

heroin market, including in DEA Field Divisions

Historically, retail level heroin distributors have

in the Northeast (New England, New Jersey,

mixed or “cut” heroin with adulterants such

New York, Philadelphia) and Midwest (St. Louis,

as caffeine, procaine, and lidocaine, which

Chicago). The increased presence of fentanyl

increased their profits but also decreased the

in white powder heroin markets continues

purity of their product. Adding fentanyl to heroin

to result in higher rates of fentanyl-involved

allows distributors to greatly increase their

overdose deaths, straining law enforcement and

profits while maintaining product quality.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Illicit Opioids and COVID-19

As of June 2020, seven DEA Field Divisions — Chicago, Houston, Louisville, New England, St. Louis,

and Washington — reported that fentanyl’s availability had decreased as a result of the COVID-19

pandemic, while 10 DEA Field Divisions reported price increases for heroin. The remaining field

divisions reported little to no market change. DEA Field Divisions reporting heroin price increases

as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic include El Paso, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Louisville, New

Orleans, New Jersey, New York, Philadelphia, and San Diego. It is possible that fentanyl availability

experienced such little change during the pandemic due to the relatively smaller volumes of the

drug needed to generate high amounts of revenue for drug traffickers, reflecting fentanyl’s high

potency^j and the relatively small quantities needed for users to experience its effects.

Pandemic-related challenges for DTOs trafficking heroin, fentanyl, and other synthetic opioids have

included supply uncertainty associated with fluctuating state lockdown orders throughout the

United States and border restrictions issued by the United States and Mexico.

j. Potency is defined as the measure of drug activity in terms of the dosage required to exert an effect on the body.

Fentanyl is often reported as a single drug

due to variations in laboratory reporting

entity —approximately 58 percent of fentanyl

protocols. FSPP reports that of the sampling

reports to NFLIS-Drug in 2019—but it continues

of 2019 seizures tested, fentanyl mixed with

to be observed in mixtures with other drugs,

heroin accounted for 94 kilograms of the 1,066

contributing to fentanyl’s involvement not only

kilograms of powders examined (8 percent by

in the opioid crisis, but also exacerbating the

weight); in comparison, fentanyl was mixed

threats posed by other drugs (See Figure 4).

with heroin in 22 percent of all fentanyl exhibits

Of the illicit fentanyl combinations found, heroin

examined. These data do not reflect whether

and fentanyl accounted for approximately 27

the mixtures are intentionally done or occur

percent of the mixtures reported to NFLIS-Drug.

otherwise.

The amount of mixtures may be underreported

Figure 4. Fentanyl Combination Reports to NFLIS-Drug, 2014 - 2019

Source: National Forensic Laboratory Information System-Drug Retrieved July 10, 2020

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

reported heroin overdose deaths decreased in

DEA’s Fentanyl Signature Profiling

Maryland, Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois,

Program

Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Washington, DC, and

The FSPP performs in-depth chemical analyses

increased in California, Texas, and Tennessee.

of fentanyl and fentanyl-related exhibits

The remainder of the country reported stable

obtained from seizures made throughout

heroin overdose rates.

the United States. Analytical methodologies

developed at the STRL allow in-depth reporting

Further analysis reveals while the rate of

on seizures in an attempt to link seizures for

overdose deaths involving heroin alone

intelligence purposes. FSPP data is not intended

decreased almost 20 percent (dropping from

to reflect U.S. market share but is rather a

7,391 in 2017 to 5,928 in 2018), the rate of

snapshot of samples submitted to STRL from the

heroin-involved overdose deaths with fentanyl

seven DEA regional laboratories.

present increased almost 12 percent (rising from

8,091 in 2017 to 9,038 in 2018) (See Figure

Drug Consumption and

5). Despite an overall decline in heroin-involved

overdose deaths, heroin was second in the

Overdose Deaths

number of overdose deaths of any drug category.

Drug-poisoning data shows that heroin-involved

Heroin was only surpassed by the number of

overdose deaths are leveling off as overdose

deaths attributable to SOOTM, the category

deaths continue to increase related to synthetic

that includes illicit fentanyl and legal opioids

opioids other than methadone (SOOTM). The

available by prescription. The drugs in this

CDC reported that heroin-involved overdose

synthetic opioids category were involved in more

deaths dropped by just over four percent

than 31,000 overdose deaths and accounted

between 2017 and 2018. In 2018, the CDC

Figure 5. Heroin-Involved Overdose Deaths With and Without Fentanyl, 2013 - 2018

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 6. Overdose Deaths Involving Synthetic Opioids Other than Methadone, 2005 - 2018

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

for 67 percent of opioid-involved deaths (See

in overdoses and deaths in markets saturated

Figure 6). Deaths in this category increased

with heroin and/or prescription opioids.

approximately 10 percent from 2017 to 2018,

Fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills continued to

likely attributable to increased availability of illicit

become more widely available throughout

fentanyl, as rates for licit fentanyl prescriptions

the United States in 2019 and 2020, and are

and production have not risen in conjunction

mentioned in open source news reporting across

with the rise in fatal overdoses.

the country as being involved in drug poisoning

Fentanyl use and overdose deaths are more

deaths. The spread of fentanyl-laced counterfeit

widespread across the country as the opioid

pills in the United States is likely due to Mexican

crisis continues. Overall, fentanyl-involved

TCOs seeking to further distribute fentanyl into

deaths are still the most concentrated in states

prescription opioid user populations as there is

in the Great Lakes and Northeast of the

no licit production of pills containing fentanyl.

United States.

As of January 2020, 49 states identified the

presence of fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills,

Overdose data indicates fentanyl use continues

according to a report from the Partnership for

in areas with traditional white powder heroin

Safe Medicines.^k Moreover, 38 states reported

prevalence while its use appears to be

deaths attributed to fentanyl-laced counterfeit

expanding into other regions in the

pills through January 2020. This is a significant

United States, such as west of the Mississippi

increase compared to April 2018, when 22

River. Simultaneously, increases in states

states reported deaths related to fentanyl-laced

with consistently high rates of opioid abuse

counterfeit pills.

demonstrate fentanyl’s continued involvement

k. Hawaii was the only U.S. state not to report fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills, as of January 2020.

UNCLASSIFIED

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 7. Age Adjusted Rates of Overdose Deaths Involving

Synthetic Opioids Other Than Methadone by State, 2018^l

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Production

The Heroin Signature Program (HSP)

Heroin of Mexican origin accounted for 92

DEA uses data from the HSP as an indicator of

percent of the total weight of heroin analyzed

the geographic origins of heroin available at the

under the HSP, the seventh consecutive year

wholesale level in the United States. Under this

that Mexico has been identified as the primary

program, DEA’s STRL conducts annual in-depth

chemical analyses of between 600 and 900

source of origin for heroin encountered in the

heroin samples that originate from seizures

United States. According to U.S. Government

and purchases made in the United States. The

estimates, poppy cultivation in Mexico in 2019

science of the HSP entails multiple, detailed

was recorded at 30,400 hectares, a 27 percent

chemical analyses through which the purity,

decrease from the 41,800 hectares reported in

cutting patterns, and geographical processing

2018. Similarly, potential pure heroin production

origin (South America, Mexico, Southeast Asia,

decreased by 27 percent from 106 metric tons

and Southwest Asia) are determined. Only a

portion of the heroin seized throughout the

in 2018 to 78 metric tons in 2019 (See Figure

United States in any given year is tested for

8). Low opium prices paid to poppy farmers in

signature, or source area, through the HSP.

Mexico, coupled with an increase in fentanyl

Therefore, HSP data is not representative of

use in the United States, likely impacted the

market share, but rather, indicates trends in the

decrease in cultivation. However, there has

domestic market at the wholesale level.

been no observed reduction in heroin flows to

l. States shaded in these types of maps as “data unreliable” or “data suppressed” either have problems with the reporting of the deaths that makes per

100,000 rates unreliable to report or else have so few deaths reported that reporting a rate would violate data privacy issues.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 8. Potential Pure Heroin Production in Mexico,

into the United States. Fentanyl

2014 - 2019

powder exhibits analyzed through

the FSPP averaged 8.7 percent

pure in 2019, an increase of 11.5

percent from the average purity

of 7.8 percent in 2018. Only five

of the 508 exhibits analyzed had

purities that exceeded the 90

percent mark typical of the fentanyl

seized from parcel shipments to

Source: U.S. Government Estimates

the United States from chemical

the United States, as seizures of heroin at Ports

companies based in China. This downward

of Entry (POEs) remained steady in 2019.

trend is likely attributable to the robust bilateral

engagement between U.S. Government agencies

According to HDMP data for 2019, the average

and China, which led to China implementing its

purities for heroin at the retail (street) level

class scheduling of FRCs in May 2019. After this

varied by type, with Mexican white powder and

event, shipments of fentanyl and FRCs directly

Mexican black tar heroin (the most prevalent

from China to the United States decreased and

types of heroin available at the retail level)

domestic law enforcement are encountering

averaging 47 percent and 45 percent purity,

fewer new FRCs.

respectively. Although the presence of both

fentanyl and various FRCs were observed in

DEA reporting indicates that Mexican TCOs are

retail-level heroin exhibits analyzed under the

significantly involved in fentanyl production. The

HDMP, fentanyl remained the leading synthetic

Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation

compound detected in a majority of these heroin

Cartel (CJNG) appear to be increasing the

exhibits.

production of wholesale quantities of fentanyl in

both powder and pill forms. Additionally, these

Since at least 2019, Mexican TCOs’ supply to the

TCOs are diversifying their precursor chemical

U.S. fentanyl market is increasing while supply

sources of supply, and moving to precursor

of fentanyl directly from China to the U.S has

chemicals further down the synthesis chain to

decreased substantially, according to reporting

avoid international chemical controls.

and forensic analysis of drug exhibits

from DEA, U.S. Customs and Border

Figure 9. Southwest Border Heroin Seizures Total

Kilograms Seized, 2013 to 2020 to date (as of May 2020)

Protection (CBP), and the U.S. Department

of Homeland Security. Seizures at the

SWB POEs by CBP, as well as seizures

reported by the DEA Field Divisions along

the SWB, have been increasing in both

weight and purity. Conversely, fentanyl

seizures via air routes have decreased,

indicating China likely plays a smaller role

in the direct supply of fentanyl shipped

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 10. Opioid Concealment Methods

Heroin concealed and extracted from a fire extinguisher

Fentanyl-laced pills concealed

Heroin concealed in vehicle

in luggage

bumper

Source: DEA

Mexican TCOs will almost certainly have the

chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

greatest direct impact on the fentanyl market in

Legal controls on these precursors vary from

the United States for the near future because

country to country. Law enforcement seizures

of these organizations’ increased capacity and

in 2019 and 2020 include many chemicals

capabilities for fentanyl production, adaptations

which are uncontrolled in China and Mexico.

to restrictions on precursor chemicals, and

Law enforcement in the United States and

existing drug trafficking infrastructure in the

Mexico are reporting increased seizures of

United States.

4-anilinopiperidine (4-AP) which is a List I

chemical in the United States as of May 2020,

TCOs use a combination of methods to obtain

but is currently not controlled in either Mexico or

chemicals used for fentanyl production in

China. Although 4-AP is not a direct replacement

Mexico, primarily from sources originating

for 4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine (4-ANPP) in

in China, including purchases made on the

the synthesis of fentanyl, 4-AP can be converted

open market, smuggling chemicals hidden in

into 4-ANPP in a one-step chemical reaction.

legitimate commercial shipments, mislabeling

The emergence of this chemical demonstrates

shipments to avoid controls and the attention

the continued efforts by traffickers in Mexico

of law enforcement, and diversion from the

UNCLASSIFIED

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 11. Counterfeit Oxycodone

to 2018 (745 kilograms). Fentanyl seizures at

Tablet Containing Fentanyl

the SWB have been steadily increasing since at

least Fiscal Year (FY) 2016.

Mexican TCOs employ a variety of methods

to transport heroin, fentanyl, and other illicit

opioids into the United States and use all

manner of concealment methods to hide

their drug shipments (See Figure 10). Land

Source: Santa Clara, California Department of Health

transportation via the interstate system is the

most predominant method of transporting illicit

and China to bypass international precursor

opioids, with personally-owned vehicles (POVs),

chemical controls to continue producing illicit

rental vehicles, and trucks/tractor trailers

fentanyl. DEA reporting also indicates the use of

identified as the most commonly used modes

more sophisticated clandestine laboratories and

of transport. POVs are often retrofitted with

processing methods in Mexico.

concealed compartments that are used by DTOs

• In May 2020, Mexican officials seized a combination

to hide heroin, fentanyl, bulk currency, and other

of 169.5 kilograms of 4-AP and N-Phenethyl-4-

contraband. The countless different aftermarket

piperidone (NPP) from a container shipment at the

modifications of varying sizes and shapes readily

Port of Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The bags

containing the chemicals were hidden amongst a

available to TCOs often makes the detection of

legitimate shipment containing bags of powdered soap.

illicit drug loads challenging for law enforcement.

The container shipment originated in Shanghai, China,

TCOs use alternative and less frequent

and transited through Quingdao, China, and Busan,

commercial forms of transportation to transport

South Korea, before arriving in Mexico.

illicit opioids, such as airlines, buses, trains,

and shuttle services. Body carriers and parcel

Transportation/Distribution

delivery services are also used to facilitate the

The majority of heroin and fentanyl available in

movement of drug shipments.

the United States is smuggled overland across

the SWB. Couriers on commercial airlines

Mexican TCOs appear to be trafficking

transport lesser amounts into the United States.

substantially greater amounts of fentanyl

Heroin seizures at the SWB remained high but

pills into the United States, likely resulting in

relatively stable with 2,580 kilograms of heroin

decreasing reports of domestic pill pressing

seized by CBP in 2019 compared to 2,317

operations. The TCOs have consistently chosen

kilograms in 2018. From 2013 to mid-year

to counterfeit a brand of licit 30 mg oxycodone

2020, the amount of heroin seized at the SWB

pills that have been regularly diverted for years

has increased 39 percent (See Figure 9). CBP

to the street market for opioids (See Figure 11).

reported a combined 1,208 kilograms of fentanyl

The selection of these tablets—blue, round,

seized at the SWB in 2019; 1,060 kilograms of

stamped with “M” on one side and “30” on the

fentanyl were seized at POEs and 148 kilograms

other, and increasingly referred to on the streets

were seized between POEs by the U.S. Border

as “Mexican Oxy” or “M30s”— demonstrate

Patrol. This represents a 62 percent increase in

that traffickers are taking advantage of an

total CBP fentanyl seizures at the SWB compared

established market for these pills to increase the

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

profit margins with fentanyl. In addition, when

Outlook

analyzing the contents of these tablets, DEA’s

Heroin availability, while high, has stabilized, and

FSPP revealed that approximately 71 percent

corresponds with a decline in heroin-involved

of these tablets are consistent with Mexican

overdose deaths when those deaths do not

TCO illicitly manufactured fentanyl production

also involve fentanyl or other synthetic opioids.

techniques. Simultaneously, the number of illicit

Mexico will likely remain the primary source of

fentanyl tablet exhibits containing a potentially

origin for heroin transported to the United States

lethal dose of fentanyl is increasing, according

and both Mexican white powder and Mexican

to FSPP. Analysis of 2019 seizures revealed

black tar heroin will continue to be the most

that 26 percent of illicit fentanyl tablet exhibits

prevalent types of heroin available in major

examined contained a potential lethal dose of

U.S. heroin markets. The heroin and fentanyl

fentanyl (71 exhibits out of 269 total exhibits). In

markets, already intertwined, will continue to

comparison, in 2018 and 2017, FSPP analysis

grow as traffickers mix heroin with fentanyl to

revealed that 14 percent and 10 percent of the

stretch heroin supplies and maximize revenues.

tablet exhibits sampled, respectively, contained

Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids will likely

a potential lethal dose of fentanyl.

continue to contribute to high numbers of drug

Fentanyl distributors in the United States also

overdose deaths in the United States in the near

continue to order fentanyl, FRCs, and other

term, as fentanyl availability either by itself or

synthetic opioids, such as U-47700, directly from

mixed in with other drugs—particularly heroin—

manufacturers in China via the Internet including

continues to persist. However, overdose deaths

the dark web, with delivery accomplished

involving heroin alone may stabilize or continue

by international mail and commercial parcel

to decline in the near term. The low cost, high

services. China-sourced fentanyl typically

potency, and ease of acquisition of fentanyl may

is smuggled in small volumes and generally

encourage heroin users to switch to the drug

tested over 90 percent pure. In 2019, U.S. law

should future heroin supplies be disrupted.

enforcement continued to seize China-sourced

As Mexico is the dominant supplier of heroin

fentanyl though in smaller volumes and with

entering the United States, additional restrictions

fewer occurrences than previous years.

or limits on travel across the U.S.-Mexico border

due to pandemic concerns will likely impact

• In September 2019, DEA’s San Diego Field Division

heroin DTOs, particularly those using couriers

responded to an apartment in San Diego, California,

to investigate a fatal drug overdose and seized more

or personal vehicles to smuggle heroin into the

than five pounds of fentanyl, furanyl fentanyl, U-47700,

United States. Another possibility may be a

and valeryl fentanyl from the apartment. Subsequent

decrease in the price level for heroin as DTOs

investigative information determined that the overdose

and street-level dealers maximize associated

victim purchased fentanyl online from a supplier in

China. A subject close to the decedent stated that

profit margins by increasingly mixing fentanyl

the victim had purchased a large stock of fentanyl for

into distributed heroin. DTOs may come to

personal use, to eliminate the need for future street-

view heroin as simply an adulterant to fentanyl.

level transactions. The quantity seized, however,

Mexican TCOs will remain the primary source of

was consistent with amounts involved in significant

supply for heroin and fentanyl smuggled into the

distribution and sales operations.

United States, using precursors primarily

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METHAMPHETAMINE

the Northeast. DEA seized 53,079 kilograms

Overview

of methamphetamine nationwide in 2019, an

Methamphetamine seizures, price, and purity

increase of 55 percent from 2018 (34,270

data as well as law enforcement reporting all

kilograms). Methamphetamine seizures occur to

indicate that methamphetamine continues to be

varying degrees in nearly every state.

readily available throughout the United States.

Reporting from the majority of DEA Field

Most of the methamphetamine available in

Divisions indicated methamphetamine

the United States is clandestinely produced in

availability was high throughout the

Mexico and smuggled across the SWB. Drug

United States. In 2019, 17 DEA Field Divisions

poisoning deaths involving methamphetamine

reported high methamphetamine availability,

continue to rise as methamphetamine purity

and six divisions reported increasing

and potency remain high while prices remain

methamphetamine availability compared to the

relatively low.

previous reporting period.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has disproportionately

Methamphetamine reports to NFLIS-Drug

affected methamphetamine markets compared

increased two percent between 2018 and

to other drugs of abuse. Many DEA Field

2019—there were 424,926 reports in 2018,

Divisions report changes in pricing for

and 433,740 reports in 2019. However, overall

methamphetamine at the wholesale and retail

methamphetamine reports have increased

levels. However, based on reports of limited

significantly since 2014, when there were

impact to overall supply of precursor chemicals

247,546 reports, marking a 75 percent increase

and finished methamphetamine, TCOs likely

since that time. NFLIS-Drug data also indicates

capitalized on the pandemic in order to drive up

methamphetamine reports represent an

methamphetamine’s generally low price and in

increasingly larger portion of the total number of

turn, their profits.

all drug reports—increasing from approximately

nine percent of all reports submitted in 2009 to

Availability

approximately 24 percent in 2018.

Methamphetamine is available throughout the

United States, with the highest availability in

Purity, Potency, and Price

the West and Midwest regions of the country,

Seizures sampled through the DEA

as well as a strong presence in the Southeast.

Methamphetamine Profiling Program (MPP)

However, in recent years, methamphetamine has

continue to have high purity and potency,

become more prevalent in areas that historically

reflecting high availability of methamphetamine.

were not major markets for the drug, particularly

In the first half of 2019, methamphetamine

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 12. Methamphetamine Purity and Potency

Source: DEA Methamphetamine Profiling Program

sampled through the MPP averaged 97.2 percent

and cathinones (e.g. ethylone). According

purity and 97.5 percent potency (See Figure 12).

to the CDC, in 2018, there were 12,676

psychostimulant drug-poisoning deaths in the

United States, representing a nearly 23 percent

Drug Consumption and

increase from 2017 (10,333), and an 874

Overdose Deaths

percent increase since the lowest point in 2008

The number of deaths in the CDC category

(1,302) (See Figure 13). The steadily increasing

psychostimulants with abuse potential continues

number of deaths from psychostimulants may

to increase. Methamphetamine-involved drug

be due to increased availability and market

poisoning deaths are counted under this broader

expansion into areas and user bases that are not

category, which includes other drugs such as

traditionally associated with methamphetamine

caffeine and phenethylamines (including 3,

use.

4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)),

Methamphetamine Precursor Chemicals

Controlled Examples:

Not Controlled Examples:

• Methlylamine

• Ammonium chloride

• Benzaldehyde

• Formaldehyde

• Nitroethane

Methamphetamine is produced using multiple methods, which use a variety of different chemicals

depending on the process. Many of these chemicals are regulated as listed chemicals in the

United States and Mexico, though TCOs have sought to bypass restrictions through the use of

uncontrolled pre-precursors. The involvement of Mexican TCOs in methamphetamine production is

through the use of industrial scale laboratories^m that rely upon the importation of these chemicals,

primarily from China and India. Chemical shipments are mislabeled at the origin, shipped to

legitimate companies, and then diverted by the TCO and smuggled to the clandestine laboratories.

m. An industrial scale laboratory refers to its ability to manufacture kilogram quantities of methamphetamine that can range from 100 grams up to

multi-kilogram quantities depending on amounts shipped across the border. Currently, methamphetamine produced from medium, large, or extra-

large laboratories, which generally accounts for multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine, are most likely from industrial scale laboratories.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 13. Psychostimulant-involved Drug Poisoning Deaths, increased competition among

2007 - 2018

the different TCO groups. TCOs

are exploring new markets

for methamphetamine, and

increasing quantities are

coming across the SWB. The

price of methamphetamine

may begin to rise with a

market expansion, although

prices in established markets

Source: National Center for Health Statistics/Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention

remain consistently low.

Shortly after the enactment of the Combat

Production

Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA) in

Foreign Production

2006, Mexico introduced similar legislation

Mexican TCOs continue to be the primary

regulating precursors, notably ephedrine and

producers and suppliers of low cost, high

pseudoephedrine. The series of legislative

purity methamphetamine available in the

actions ultimately banned ephedrine and

United States. Mexican TCOs regularly produce

pseudoephedrine from the country entirely in

large quantities of methamphetamine,

2008. Despite the restrictions in Mexico on

which has led to a significant supply of

precursor chemicals, Mexican TCOs continue

methamphetamine in the U.S. market. The

to adapt by finding alternative methods of

majority of Mexican TCOs are also involved in

manufacture, with many of the precursor

methamphetamine trafficking, which has led to

chemicals sourced from companies in China and

India. Mexican TCOs produce methamphetamine

using the reductive amination method, which

DEA’s Methamphetamine Profiling

employs the precursor phenyl-2-propanone (P2P)

Program (MPP)

instead of pseudoephedrine. According to the

The DEA MPP provides an in-depth chemical

DEA MPP, 99.2 percent of samples analyzed in

analysis of selected methamphetamine

the first half of 2019 were produced using this

samples to establish trends associated with

the manufacture of methamphetamine seized

method. Mexican TCOs are able to produce

primarily in the United States. The MPP further

methamphetamine that is highly pure and

identifies the method used to manufacture

potent, while less expensive to produce, which

methamphetamine, as well as tracking purity

has contributed to the decline of domestic

levels and other related trends. However, the

production.

MPP is unable to determine the source origin of

methamphetamine samples because the drug

In mid-2014, a new forensic profile had emerged

is synthetically produced—unlike morphine and

from samples analyzed from the U.S.-Mexico

cocaine, which are extracted from plant sources.

border and other U.S. locations. This newer

The MPP data set is only reflective of the MPP

profile is linked to an alternate P2P recipe

sampling plan, and is not representative of all

called the nitrostyrene method, which starts

methamphetamine samples submitted to the

DEA laboratory system.

with benzaldehyde and nitroethane as the key

precursors. This forensic profile was identified

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

as the primary production method, at the

Precursor Restrictions and Pricing Can

time, for the majority of samples seized and

Influence Production Methods

analyzed from the U.S.-Mexico border as well as

DEA reporting suggests precursor chemical

throughout the United States.

availability and price drive the P2P production

MPP data reflects that the newer P2P-

technique used by Mexican methamphetamine

nitrostyrene method decreased in prominence

manufacturers. In October 2015, the

Government of Mexico formally controlled

during the first half of 2019, representing only

the P2P precursor chemicals benzaldehyde

11 percent of samples analyzed, a one percent

and nitroethane, which caused an over 300

decrease from the second half of 2018. Older

percent increase in pricing of chemicals on the

phenyl-acetic acid (PAA) profiles represented 39

black market. While there are many different

percent of analyzed samples, a decrease nine

methods to produce methamphetamine,

percent from the second half of 2018. Profiles

production follows a predictable pattern of

that contained a mixture of both P2P methodsⁿ

chemical reactions and ingredients. Rather

than wait on shipments of preferred precursor

increased by five percent from the second

chemicals or restricted chemicals, significant

half of 2018, and represented 37 percent of

methamphetamine producers will shift methods

analyzed samples. This shift may be in reaction

and/or chemicals depending on what materials

to precursor chemical restrictions and seizures

are readily available to maintain supply and

focusing on the newer nitrostyrene methods,

production. Identifying, targeting, and restricting

which are contributing to the profile’s shrinking

necessary precursors could slow production,

percentage of samples. The remainder of

drive prices up, and force producers to shift

samples (13 percent) could not be placed into a

production methods.

P2P method sub-category.

Figure 14. Number of Domestic Methamphetamine

Laboratory Incidents, 2000 - 2019

Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System

n. A “mixed” profile is defined as a chemical signature containing indicators of both the nitrostyrene profile and the phenylacetic acid profile.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 15. Methamphetamine Clandestine Laboratory Incidents Including

Laboratories, Dumpsites, and Chemical/Equipment Seizures, by State, 2019

Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System

DEA reporting also indicates a potential new

In the early 2000s, domestic methamphetamine

PAA production method utilizing benzyl chloride

laboratory seizures increased yearly in the

and sodium cyanide to make an oil called

United States and peaked in 2004 with

benzylnitrile. While no forensic marker has

approximately 23,700 methamphetamine

been created, DEA reporting has documented

laboratory incidents^o reported to the El Paso

the establishment of this formula as well as

Intelligence Center’s (EPIC) National Seizure

monitored the movements of new related

System (NSS). Domestic methamphetamine

precursor chemicals.

production has decreased annually since 2004,

with a moderate spike in production from 2007

Domestic Production

to 2010 that has since declined significantly

with 890 seizure incidents of methamphetamine

Clandestine methamphetamine laboratory

laboratories reported to NSS in 2019, the lowest

seizures continue to decrease across the

reported in 19 years (See Figures 14 & 15). In

United States. The enactment of the CMEA

2019, 84.8 percent of all methamphetamine

reduced domestic methamphetamine production

laboratories seized in the United States were

by placing restrictions on key ingredients.

small laboratories capable of producing two

Domestic producers have been unable to keep

ounces or less of methamphetamine.

up with the quantity or quality of the lower cost

methamphetamine produced on an industrial

scale in Mexico.

o. Incidents include Dumpsites, Chemical Only, or Equipment Only Seizures, and Laboratory Seizures.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 16. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Southwest Border

Methamphetamine Seizures, 2013 - 2019

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

However, methamphetamine remains the

Transportation and

most frequently manufactured drug seized in

Distribution

clandestine laboratories in the United States,

Methamphetamine seizures occur in every

according to NSS reporting. Clandestine

U.S. state. Mexican TCOs control wholesale

laboratories can be set up anywhere: private

methamphetamine distribution, while both

residences, motel and hotel rooms, apartments,

Mexican and domestic criminal groups typically

mobile homes, campgrounds, and commercial

control retail distribution in the United States.

establishments. Many of the domestic

methamphetamine laboratories seized in 2019

The SWB remains the main entry point for the

were small-capacity production laboratories,

majority of methamphetamine entering the

known as “one-pot” or “shake and bake.” A

United States. Methamphetamine seizures

laboratory of this size generally produces

along the SWB increased 74 percent from

two ounces or less of methamphetamine per

2018 (39,268 kilograms) to 2019 (68,355

production cycle, making it small-scale and

kilograms) (See Figure 16). Total nationwide

easy to conceal, yet often dangerous, and in

methamphetamine seizures increased 77

many cases can cause fires, serious injuries,

percent between 2018 (41,396 kilograms) and

or even death. Common household items (i.e.

2019 (73,351 kilograms).

pseudoephedrine/ephedrine tablets, lithium

While methamphetamine precursors are often

batteries, camp fuel, starting fluid, and cold

transported via maritime shipments from

packs) are used as ingredients and mixed inside

China and India, finished methamphetamine

a container such as a plastic soda bottle.

is commonly trafficked overland across the

SWB. Traffickers employ various techniques

to transport and conceal methamphetamine,

such as using human couriers, parcel services,

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

and commercial conveyances. Commonly,

Methamphetamine in solution seizures in

traffickers transport multi-kilogram shipments

SWB states have increased from 2015 to

of methamphetamine in privately owned

2019. According to the EPIC NSS, there

vehicles. Fuel tank concealment remains a

were approximately 8,890 kilograms of

widely used technique with either packaged

methamphetamine in solution seized in

methamphetamine or methamphetamine

SWB states in 2019, a 348 percent increase

in solution. Methamphetamine concealed

from 1,986 kilograms in 2015. According

in tires and other natural voids in vehicles

to EPIC NSS reports and Domestic Highway

are other popular methods for smuggling

Enforcement reporting, there were 66 seizures

methamphetamine and other contraband into

of methamphetamine in some type of solution,

the United States.

up from 57 incidents in 2018.

• In May 2020, DEA’s Austin, Texas Resident Office

Figure 18. Methamphetamine Conversion

(RO) High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task

Laboratory Incidents in the United States, 2019

Force seized 17 kilograms of methamphetamine and

nearly 38 liters of methamphetamine in solution.

A methamphetamine conversion laboratory was

discovered after complaints of chemical odors.

Among the seized items were tire rims as well as

modified fuel tanks used to conceal and transport

methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine in

Solution

Methamphetamine can be dissolved in a

Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System

variety of liquids, including vehicle fluids, fuels,

Conversion Laboratories

water, and alcoholic beverages (See Figure

17); it is more easily smuggled, more difficult

Methamphetamine conversion

to detect, and can be less expensive than in

laboratories are used to either convert

powder or crystal forms. This smuggling method

powder methamphetamine into crystal

requires a conversion laboratory to extract the

methamphetamine or to recrystallize

methamphetamine from the solution in which it

methamphetamine in solution back into crystal

is dissolved. Methamphetamine in solution form

methamphetamine—conversion laboratories

is rarely sold on the streets.

are not used for methamphetamine production.

From 2000 to 2019, with the exception of 2018,

Figure 17. Methamphetamine in Solution

the majority of conversion laboratory seizures

seizures from HIDTA DHE Initiative

occurred in California. The state of Georgia had

the majority of conversion laboratories in 2018.

Law enforcement has seized conversion

laboratories in states farther from the SWB,

primarily in the Midwest region. In 2019, there

Source: Gulf Coast Blue Lightning Operations Center/High

were conversion laboratories seized in Florida,

Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Watch Center

Kansas, Kentucky, and Missouri (See Figure 18).

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 19. EPIC NSS Seizure Totals for

• In May 2020, authorities stopped an

individual arriving at Dulles International

Methamphetamine in Pill Form

Airport outside Washington, D.C. and seized

approximately five pounds of suspected

MDMA in pill form from the individual’s

luggage. Laboratory analysis indicated that

the multi-colored/various shaped pills in a fish

oil bottle and in a coconut oil bottle were not

MDMA, but rather methamphetamine.

• Counterfeit Adderall tablets have been

encountered previously in Michigan, Florida,

and also in Washington State in 2019. These

pills bore similar coloring and markings of

legitimate prescription Adderall (See Figure

20). The primary substance identified in

Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System

laboratory analysis in these cases was

methamphetamine. In 2019, the Michigan

Methamphetamine in

State Police, DEA’s Miami Field Division, and

the Clark-Vancouver Regional Drug Task Force

Pill Form

in Washington seized pills of this type.

Methamphetamine in pill form has appeared

in several states in 2019 and into 2020.

As with other drugs of abuse, these product

Many incidents have involved pill forms

innovations illustrate the determination of DTOs

that resemble MDMA tablets, while others

to make methamphetamine appealing to non-

have been counterfeit pharmaceuticals with

traditional users, particularly those in the CPD

methamphetamine present or as the primary

user population, by offering the drug in atypical

substance. Ten of DEA’s 23 Field Divisions

forms. Counterfeit MDMA tablets may also

reported having encountered methamphetamine

Figure 20. Legitimate Adderall Tablets

in some type of pill form. Due to the sporadic

(Top) and Counterfeit Tablets (Bottom)

nature of reports and encounters, it is likely that

Containing Methamphetamine

individuals domestically manufacture counterfeit

pills containing methamphetamine marketed

to new or niche markets rather than being

available/marketed as a wholesale-level product.

Seizures of methamphetamine pills reported

to NSS have increased dramatically with

115 seizures reported to NSS in 2019, up

from only 11 in the previous year. From

2015 to 2019, NSS reported 128 seizures of

methamphetamine pills in total (See Figure 19).

Source: Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

be an attempt at attracting a non-traditional

Outlook

user base by supplementing or replacing a

Mexican TCOs are likely to continue to produce,

more expensive product with a cheaper, more

transport, and distribute high-purity, high-

easily obtained drug. DEA consistently seizes

potency methamphetamine across the SWB

methamphetamine in traditional forms, and pill

into the United States and will likely continue to

forms remain sporadically reported.

adapt their production methods as precursor

chemicals become restricted, become

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact

temporarily unavailable, or cost-prohibitive.

While the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected

Domestic production will likely continue declining

TCOs’ short-term ability to obtain precursor

as methamphetamine produced in Mexico

chemicals, lasting long-term impacts on the

remains a lower cost, higher purity, and higher

supply chain and methamphetamine production

potency alternative.

appears to be minor or negligible, allowing the

Conversion laboratories will likely continue to

TCOs flexibility in determining pricing. DEA

increase, or at least maintain a stable presence,

reporting indicates TCOs were already looking

as methamphetamine in solution remains an

to increase the price of methamphetamine

effective concealment and transportation option.

prior to the onset of the pandemic. Additionally,

Additionally, TCOs are likely to continue to

TCOs may have exaggerated the effects of

attempt to expand existing markets or establish

the pandemic on aspects of production and

new ones by offering methamphetamine in non-

supply, particularly chemical supplies, to further

traditional forms such as tablets.

increase pricing.

The price of methamphetamine currently

DEA reporting also indicates that some TCOs

remains low compared to other drugs of abuse

sought to intentionally price gouge customers by

despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,

holding shipments of methamphetamine in order

but has seen price increases during the

to charge higher prices as the crisis prolonged

ongoing pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic

and supplies in the United States diminished.

crisis continues, fluctuations in pricing and

Assertions of limited availability do not appear

availability will likely continue with all drugs

credible, given a reported two-year inventory of

of abuse, with the methamphetamine market

illicit methamphetamine in Mexico before the

disproportionately affected.

crisis began.

UNCLASSIFIED

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COCAINE

prices in an effort to maximize short-term profits

Overview

in anticipation of a shortened supply as the

Production, trafficking, and abuse of cocaine

pandemic progressed. Though availability and

consistently pose a threat to the safety and

pricing of cocaine has varied in certain locations

security of citizens and law enforcement, from

in the United States during the pandemic, the

the production zones in South America to

overall cocaine supply chain remains intact.

transportation and distribution networks in the

United States. Domestic availability is steady,

Availability

likely driven by high levels of coca cultivation

A steady supply of cocaine was available

and cocaine production in the Andean Region of

throughout U.S. domestic markets in 2019.

South America, and deaths from drug poisoning

Despite some reports of diminished supply

involving cocaine have increased every year

during the spring of 2020, cocaine availability

since 2013.

remained stable, although some price

fluctuations were reported across DEA Field

Impact of COVID-19 on

Divisions in the early stages of shelter-in-place

Cocaine Trafficking to the

orders due to the pandemic. All 23 DEA Field

United States

Divisions reported that cocaine was easily

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted multiple

obtained throughout 2019. Ten field divisions

nodes of the cocaine trafficking supply line, yet

reported cocaine availability was high, and 13

has not significantly reduced the overall supply

reported cocaine availability was moderate. The

to the United States. In Colombia—the primary

only division reporting a change from 2018 was

source country of cocaine in the

the Louisville Field Division, where availability of

United States—the pandemic has not significantly

the drug changed from high to moderate.

affected TCOs’ abilities to produce and smuggle

cocaine, as of October 2020. COVID-19 related

There were 196,721 cocaine reports submitted

restrictions in South, Central, and North America

to NFLIS-Drug in 2019, a 14 percent decrease

have not significantly impacted the flow of

from the 229,803 reports submitted in 2018. In

cocaine to the United States. While these

2019, the number of cocaine reports to NFLIS-

restrictions led to fewer opportunities for TCOs

Drug was the lowest number reported in the past

to engage in drug trafficking activities via air and

six years and is less than half of the amount

land, the impact has generally not extended to

reported at the peak in 2006 (640,141 reports).

maritime activity. Moreover, TCOs adapted and

Still, of the top 25 most frequently identified

have continued smuggling large quantities of

drugs in NFLIS-Drug, cocaine ranked third

cocaine into the United States. Domestically,

overall in 2019, behind methamphetamine and

traffickers faced uncertainty and likely increased

cannabis/tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

DEA’s Cocaine Signature Program (CSP)

Each year through the CSP, in-depth chemical analyses are performed on cocaine exhibits obtained

from bulk seizures made throughout the United States. The program also examines a smaller

number of cocaine exhibits seized from around the world. Additionally, samples of solvents,

reagents, and other materials seized from South American illicit cocaine laboratories are examined.

Analytical methodologies developed at the STRL give evidence of how and where the coca leaf was

processed into cocaine base (geographical origin), and how cocaine base was converted into cocaine

hydrochloride (processing method). State-of-the-art scientific methods can determine the geographic

origin of the coca leaf, down to the sub-regional growing region used to produce a cocaine exhibit with

a confidence level exceeding 96 percent.

CSP analysis has consistently indicated that Colombian-origin cocaine dominates the market in the

United States. These forensic findings are consistent with all available law enforcement intelligence

and investigative reporting. CSP data is not intended to reflect U.S. market share, but is rather a

snapshot of current cocaine processing and trafficking trends. The CSP also provides a substantial

dataset (over 47,000 exhibits since 1998) for strategic intelligence analysis that reflects random

cocaine samples taken from all wholesale-level domestic seizures submitted to all DEA laboratories

that total metric tons of cocaine each year.

Figure 21. Total Number of Deaths from Drug Poisoning Involving

Cocaine in the United States and the District of Columbia, 2010 - 2018

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection^p

p. Drug poisoning deaths include the following ICD-10 underlying cause codes: X40-X44, X60-X64, X85, Y10-Y-14. Drug poisoning deaths include

unintentional (accidental overdose), intentional (suicide or homicide by drug), and deaths of undetermined intention. Cocaine-involved drug poisoning

deaths are coded under ICD-10 multiple cause code T40.5.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Sustained cocaine production at record levels

rates from drug poisoning involving cocaine, per

in Colombia is likely stabilizing cocaine’s overall

100,000 population, were in Delaware (15.9),

presence in the U.S. drug market.

the District of Columbia (14.2), Rhode Island

(13.1), Maryland (11.4), Massachusetts (10.7),

Drug Consumption and

New Jersey (9.9), Ohio (9.8), Vermont (9.4),

Connecticut (9.1), and Pennsylvania (8.5). Four

Overdose Deaths

U.S. states—Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio,

Cocaine abuse is a serious concern for law

and Pennsylvania—that were among the ten

enforcement and public health officials

states with the most overall deaths from drug

throughout the United States. In 2018, there

poisoning involving cocaine were also among the

were 14,666 deaths from drug poisoning

ten states with the highest age-adjusted death

involving cocaine in U.S. states and the District

rates from drug poisoning involving cocaine,

of Columbia, according to CDC estimates (See

per 100,000 population. Those four states

Figure 21). Between 2012 and 2018, the

collectively accounted for 3,733 deaths, or

number of deaths from drug poisoning involving

approximately 25 percent of all deaths from drug

cocaine increased every year, and 2018 is the

poisoning involving cocaine in the United States

third year in a row that such deaths exceeded

in 2018.

10,000. Deaths from drug poisoning involving

cocaine have increased about 251 percent

Polydrug cocaine combinations, particularly

from 2010 to 2018. The U.S. states with the

cocaine with SOOTM, are a serious concern

greatest number of deaths from drug poisoning

and have contributed to the increase in drug

involving cocaine in 2018, in descending order,

poisoning deaths involving cocaine over the

were New York (1,276 deaths), Florida (1,221),

past four years. Drug poisoning deaths involving

Ohio (1,105), Pennsylvania (1,045), New Jersey

cocaine and SOOTM increased from 167 deaths

(867), Illinois (771), Michigan (768), Texas

in 2010, to 8,659 deaths in 2018 (See Figure

(741), Massachusetts (716) and North Carolina

22), a 5,085 percent increase. In 2017 and

(711). In 2018, the highest age-adjusted death

2018, the number of drug poisoning deaths

Figure 22. Drug Poisoning Deaths Involving: Cocaine

and a SOOTM; Cocaine without a SOOTM, 2010 - 2018

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

involving cocaine and a SOOTM were greater

cocaine and SOOTM, but without additional

than the number of drug poisoning deaths

information it is difficult to distinguish whether

involving cocaine without a SOOTM. Drug

spikes in overdose deaths are primarily

poisoning deaths involving cocaine and a SOOTM

attributed to intentional use of true drug

began to dramatically increase at the same time

combinations, ingestion of SOOTM containing

as the onset of the fentanyl epidemic in the

only small elements of cocaine (or ingestion of

United States in 2014. Therefore, these deaths

cocaine with small elements of SOOTM), or dual

may be attributable primarily to cocaine-fentanyl

use of cocaine and SOOTM at different times.

combinations, though this cannot be confirmed

with the referenced data.

Production

Coca cultivation and potential pure cocaine

Because many DTOs are polydrug in nature—

production remain at record high levels in

specializing in the packaging, sale and

South America, from where almost all of the

distribution of more than one drug at a time—

world’s cocaine is sourced. In 2019, the

multiple drugs are often processed in the same

three major cocaine-producing countries of

shared space, which can result in unintentional

the world—Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru—had

mixture of substances. Cocaine and fentanyl

approximately 326,180 hectares (ha) of coca

or other SOOTM may be packaged together

cultivation and potential pure cocaine production

for street sale without the knowledge of the

of approximately 1,886 metric tons, according

user and/or seller, which can lead to adverse

to USG estimates. Of the three countries, both

reactions in those who lack the opioid tolerance

coca cultivation and potential pure cocaine

of a habitual opioid user. There is a tangible

production were highest in Colombia in 2019,

threat associated with intentional mixing of

Figure 23. Colombia: Coca Cultivation and Potential

Pure Cocaine Production, 2010 - 2019

Source: U.S. Government Estimates

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

the origin for the majority of the cocaine in the

moving it through Central America and Mexico,

United States. Coca cultivation in Colombia

and then smuggling it into the United States

increased slightly, from 208,000 ha in 2018 to

over the Southwest Border. Traffickers, including

212,000 ha in 2019. Additionally, the estimated

Dominican TCOs, also transport cocaine through

potential pure cocaine production increased

the Caribbean Corridor, primarily via maritime

from 877 metric tons in 2018 to 936 metric

and aerial smuggling methods. Mexican TCOs

tons in 2019 (See Figure 23). The strategic

dominate cocaine transportation throughout

trends documented by the USG in recent years

the United States, but rely on local criminal

-increased overall coca cultivation in Colombia;

groups for retail-level distribution. After

higher coca yields; higher potential cocaine

Mexican, Colombian, or Dominican trafficking

production; and higher farmer profits per hectare

organizations transport cocaine into the

of coca—continued in 2019.

United States, local U.S. criminal groups and

street gangs facilitate mid-and retail-level

Transportation and

distribution. Moreover, the production and

distribution of crack cocaine is mainly handled

Distribution

by local U.S. criminal groups and street gangs.

Mexican TCOs control cocaine trafficking in the

United States, which is likely to continue as no

The amount of cocaine seized in the

other trafficking group is positioned to challenge

United States increased in 2019 in comparison

them in the near term. While Mexican TCOs

to 2018, according to U.S. law enforcement

dominate the wholesale distribution of cocaine

agencies. According to CBP information, cocaine

to the United States, Colombian TCOs maintain

seizures along the SWB decreased slightly, from

control over its production and supply. Mexican

10,662 kilograms in 2018, to 10,653 kilograms

TCOs continue to obtain multi-ton shipments of

in 2019 (See Figure 24). Nationwide CBP

powder cocaine from South American traffickers,

cocaine seizures increased 70 percent, from

Figure 24. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Nationwide and

Southwest Border Cocaine Seizures, 2010 - 2019

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 25. DEA Reported Domestic Cocaine Seizures

by U.S. State or Territory, 2019

Source: DEA

26,585 kilograms in 2018 to 45,241 kilograms

cocaine seized (54,913.45 kilograms) decreased

in 2019 (See Figure 24). Other law enforcement

approximately 11 percent from 2018 to 2019.

datasets indicate similar trends for cocaine

DEA state and territory-level cocaine seizures in

seizures in 2019. According to EPIC’s

2019 generally followed previously established

NSS, the amount of cocaine seized in the

patterns.^r The greatest amount of cocaine

United States increased from 61,966 kilograms

seized reported by the DEA occurred in states

in 2018 to 72,856 kilograms in 2019.^q

along the SWB and Caribbean Corridor, or those

The increase in reported cocaine seizures is

with high-traffic international airports or seaports

primarily attributed to the record seizure of

(See Figure 25). Florida was the U.S. state or

approximately 17,928 kilograms from cargo

territory with the largest amount of cocaine

containers on the MSC Gayane in Philadelphia,

seizures by weight in 2019. Florida’s proximity to

Pennsylvania, destined for Antwerp, Belgium,

the Caribbean Corridor facilitates a large volume

on June 17, 2019. Excluding that seizure,

of cocaine smuggling. California had the second

nationwide CBP seizures increased a little

greatest amount of cocaine seized in 2019 and

less than three percent, from 2018 (26,585

Pennsylvania the third. Puerto Rico was the U.S.

kilograms) to 2019 (27,312.79 kilograms).

state or territory with the fourth largest amount

Similarly, NSS data indicates the amount of

of cocaine seizures. These seizures indicate

q. Date of information: May 15, 2020

r. Date of information: June 8, 2020

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

that traffickers continue to use Puerto Rico as

Traffickers less frequently utilize the Western

a major transit location in the Caribbean for

Caribbean Vector and the Caribbean Corridor to

cocaine destined for the continental

smuggle cocaine destined for the United States.

United States.

In 2019, approximately 16 percent of cocaine

departing South America transited the Western

The vast majority of cocaine destined for the

Caribbean Sea toward Central America and

United States initially transits through one or

Mexico, split evenly between noncommercial

multiple countries. Less than one percent of

maritime vessels and illicit aircraft (See Figure

documented cocaine movement was shipped

26). Roughly eight percent of documented

directly to the United States from South America

cocaine movements departing South America

in 2019, according to a U.S. Government

moved toward the Caribbean Islands in 2019,

database of known and suspected drug

mostly aboard go-fast vessels (See Figure 26).

seizure and movement events. Traffickers

Additionally, small amounts of cocaine are

predominantly utilize maritime routes in the

moved overland from Colombia to Panama.

Eastern Pacific (EPAC) to smuggle cocaine from

South America to the United States. In 2019,

about 74 percent of cocaine documented

departing South America toward the

United States transited the EPAC, mostly aboard

go-fast vessels (See Figure 26).

Figure 26. Cocaine Movement to Mexico, Central America,

and the Caribbean, Calendar Year 2019

Source: U.S. Government database of known and suspected drug seizure and movement events. Date accessed: June 9, 2020.

Information cutoff date: December 31, 2019.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Outlook

Cocaine trafficking in the United States will

continue to remain a threat, with continued

availability driven by record production levels in

Colombia. Despite the initial pricing increases

per kilogram of cocaine reported in some U.S.

drug markets during the COVID-19 pandemic,

prices will likely stabilize. Mexico will remain

the primary intermediate source of supply for

South American-origin cocaine smuggled into the

United States, and Mexican TCOs will continue to

use their extensive infrastructure in both Mexico

and the United States to supply lucrative cocaine

markets. Based on the existing cultivation and

production estimates in South America, these

TCOs are able to consistently supply cocaine to

the U.S. markets.

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CONTROLLED PRESCRIPTION

DRUGS (CPDs)

Overview

Availability

Controlled Prescription Drugs (CPDs) remain

DEA reporting in 16 of 23 Field Divisions

a prevalent concern within the United States—

indicates high CPD street availability for 2019.

availability remains constant although abuse

All DEA Field Divisions reported the same

levels decreased from the previous year.^s DEA

availability except DEA’s Seattle Field Division

Field Divisions consistently report high CPD

which reported a drop from high availability in

availability on the street within their AORs. CPD

2018 to moderate availability in 2019.

diversion continues to decrease across most

Prescription opioids were involved in nearly

categories at the national level, but some states

15,000 U.S. deaths in 2018, averaging 41

report an increase in the number of incidents.

each day, according to the CDC (See Figure 27).

The number of opioid dosage units available on

Prescription opioids were involved in 32 percent

the retail market and opioid thefts and losses

of all opioid overdose deaths; however, there was

reached their lowest levels in nine years.

a notable 13.5 percent decrease in prescription

Figure 27. National Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Prescription Opioids,

Number Among All Ages, 1999 - 2018

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Multiple Cause of Death 1999-2018

on CDC WONDER Online Database, released January, 2019.

s. CPDs include, but are not limited to, narcotics (e.g. Vicodin, OxyContin), depressants (e.g. Valium, Xanax), stimulants (e.g. Adderall, Ritalin), and

anabolic steroids (e.g. Anadrol, Oxandrin).

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

opioid-involved death rates from 2017 to 2018.

to 2019, opioids continue to rank as five out of

Even though prescription-involved opioid deaths

the seven most distributed CPDs (See Figure

decreased from the previous year, CPD misuse

28). Hydrocodone and oxycodone products were

and diversion of these drugs has continued to

dispensed at more than twice the rate of any

rise over the past two decades. The CDC reports

other CPD, which remains a steady trend. Two

that U.S. prescription-involved opioid overdose

stimulants—amphetamine and methylphenidate

deaths have increased from just under 4,000

(brand name Ritalin)—have maintained a

deaths in 1999 to 15,000 deaths in 2018 with a

continual presence over the years, while

total 232,000 deaths from 1999 to 2018.

buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid

dependence, replaced methadone in the top

None of the states observed a significant

seven most distributed CPDs from 2017 through

increase of prescription opioid deaths, and

2019. During the pandemic, DEA enacted

17 states reported decreasing numbers. In

temporary measures to permit better access to

2018, West Virginia experienced the highest

individuals in need of treatment for opioid use

prescription overdose death rate at 13.1 per

disorder, allowing for distribution of methadone

100,000 people while also presenting the

and buprenorphine outside of treatment clinics.

largest decrease with 4.1 fewer deaths per

DEA also temporarily allowed DATA-waived

100,000 people than in 2017.

practitioners to prescribe buprenorphine to new

Although DEA’s Automation of Reports and

patients following telephone consultation, rather

Consolidated Orders System (ARCOS) reveals

than requiring an in-person visit. Authorizing

that the number of dosage units distributed

greater access and availability of buprenorphine

nationwide at the retail level (hospitals,

allows for patients with an opioid use disorder to

pharmacies, practitioners, treatment programs,

receive medication assisted treatment.

and teaching institutions) decreased from 2018

Figure 28. Top Controlled Prescription Drugs Sold to Domestic Retail

Level Purchasers in Billions of Dosage Units, 2010 - 2019

Source: DEA’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 29. Hydrocodone and Oxycodone Prescription Drugs Sold to Retail Level Purchasers

Compared to All Other Opioid CPDs in Billions of Dosage Units, 2010 - 2019

Source: DEA’s Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System

While the amount of prescription opioids

Opioid prescription rates continue to decrease

available on the legitimate market continued

since the peak in 2012, with the 2018

to decline since peaking in 2011, the numbers

prescribing rate at its lowest point in 13 years.

remain significant. ARCOS data indicated

The 2018 nationwide prescribing rate was 51.4

9.7 billion dosage units of opioid CPDs were

prescriptions per 100 U.S. residents, which

manufactured and distributed in 2019. This

dropped from 58.6 prescriptions per 100 U.S.

signifies the first time that opioid prescriptions

residents in 2017. However, the prescribing rate

dropped below ten billion dosage units since

continues to vary state-by-state. Alabama and

2010. Hydrocodone and oxycodone products

Arkansas continued to have the highest opioid

comprised approximately 78 percent of all CPDs

prescription rates from 2017 to 2018, although

sold to retail level purchasers for 2019 (See

the rate dropped below 100 prescriptions per

Figure 29).

100 U.S. residents for both states (See Figure

30). New York and Hawaii have the lowest opioid

Figure 30. States with Five Highest and Five Lowest Opioid Prescribing Rates, 2018

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 31. Opioids* Manufactured, and Distributed at the Retail Level, 2016 - 2019

* Codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone

2016

2017

2018

2019

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

prescribing rates at 34 and 33.4 prescriptions

oxymorphone, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine

per 100 U.S. residents, respectively.

to account for increased medical demand

during the COVID-19 pandemic. DEA also

Opioid manufacturing levels dropped significantly

granted an exception to all DEA-registered

from 2016 to 2017 and have remained relatively

bulk manufacturers which allowed them

steady since 2017. Opioids sold to retail

to exceed the cap which normally restricts

distributors have declined by roughly 15 percent

manufacturers to not exceed 65 percent of

each year since 2016. The decreasing amount

their estimated net disposal in their inventory to

of pharmaceuticals available in the illicit market

ensure the availability of active pharmaceutical

is likely attributable to the combined efforts of

ingredients needed to manufacture dosage

law enforcement, diversion control enforcement,

forms and avoid potential production shortages.

and community education and outreach to

These adjustments allow more flexibility for

combat opioid and pharmaceutical abuse. The

manufacturers to reply to elevated licit demand

difference between the quantities manufactured

during the COVID-19 pandemic, if needed,

versus quantities provided to retail distributors

and to stave off a potential disruption to the

(See Figure 31) can be explained by several

global manufacturing and supply chain should

reasons including commercial medical needs,

COVID-19 conditions lead to widespread

scientific research, exports, and inventory.

shutdowns. Reinstated mandatory stay-at-home

DEA increased the 2020 aggregate production

orders, varying international response, and an

quota by 15 percent for fentanyl, morphine,

increasingly impacted workforce would strain

hydromorphone, codeine, oripavine,

production and transportation.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

stimulants, and about 6.4 million who misused

DEA’s Response to COVID-19:

prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in that

Prescription Drugs

period. Misused pain relievers were the most

commonly abused type of prescription drugs with

DEA adjusted certain guidelines to swiftly and

9.3 million for adults over 18 and 695,000 for

appropriately assist medical professionals and

adolescents aged 12-18. Respondents in 2018

patients during the unprecedented COVID-19

identified relieving pain as the main purpose

pandemic. DEA granted state reciprocity for

behind prescription drug misuse at 63.6 percent.

neighboring states to practitioners who dispense

Other reasons behind prescription misuse were

controlled substances. DEA also provided two

to get high (10.6 percent), relieve tension (9.2

exceptions for Schedule II oral prescriptions:

percent), improve sleep (4.5 percent), cope with

the requirement for practitioners to provide

feelings or emotions (4.0 percent), addiction

a follow-up paper copy of an emergency oral

(3.2 percent), and drug experimentation (2.5

prescription to the pharmacy was extended

percent). These numbers remained relatively

from seven days to 15 days and practitioners

steady from 2017 data.

were allowed to send a follow-up prescription

via copy or photograph rather than an original

The NSDUH asked respondents in 2018 to

copy. DEA also relaxed telemedicine regulations

identify the specific prescription pain relievers

to ensure practitioners could prescribe medicine

they used in the past year, then whether

without direct contact. These extensions allowed

they misused that pain reliever during that

medical practitioners the flexibility needed to

period. For example, it measured the codeine

care for patients while abiding by state and

misuse percentage amongst the codeine

federal orders to avoid leaving their homes.

use percentage. For reference, hydrocodone

However, these flexibilities could lead to abuse

products such as Vicodin or Lortab represent

or misuse without proper accountability and

the most commonly misused subtype of

management as restrictions for the COVID-19

prescription pain relievers overall at two percent

pandemic begin to wane.

of the total U.S. population. Comparatively,

the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that

Drug Consumption

28.4 percent of oxymorphone users misused

The 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and

oxymorphone products and 28.3 percent of

Health (NSDUH) indicated that CPD abuse

buprenorphine users misused buprenorphine

dipped from the previous year, but remained

products. The Food and Drug Administration

high. Illegitimate use of CPDs rendered them

approved buprenorphine products include

the second most abused illicit substance after

Bunavail, Suboxone, and Zubsolv, all variations

marijuana with 16.9 million Americans over the

of buprenorphine and naloxone.

age of 12 reporting prescription drug misuse

The SAMHSA states that buprenorphine is the

within the past year, which dropped from 18.1

first medication to treat opioid dependency

million persons in 2018. This number includes

that a practitioner may disperse or prescribe,

9.9 million who misused prescription pain

unlike methadone that a practitioner must

relievers, 5.1 million who misused prescription

administer inside a regulated clinic. NFLIS-

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 32. Controlled Prescription Drugs Substance Reports to NFLIS-Drug, 2014 - 2019

Source: National Forensic Laboratory Information System-Drug - Retrieved July 10, 2020

Drug data reveals that buprenorphine reports^t

relative for free, in exchange for payment, or

from all participating federal, state, and local

via theft. Over a third of CPD users obtained

laboratories increased each year except a

their pain relievers through prescription(s) or

minor drop from 2018 to 2019 (See Figure

by stealing them from a health care provider,

32).^u NFLIS-Drug reported a 50 to 67 percent

with most obtaining the pain relievers through a

decrease of hydrocodone, methadone, and

prescription from a single doctor.

oxycodone reports from 2014 to 2019, so the 27

percent increase of buprenorphine during that

Robberies and Thefts

time frame was significant.

The DEA Theft Loss Reporting Database,

formerly the Drug Theft/Loss Database, reveals

Transportation/Distribution

that the number of dosage units of opioid

Diversion of lawfully made controlled

narcotics unaccounted for peaked in 2011 with

pharmaceuticals from the legitimate market into

19.5 million dosage units and has continued to

illicit use threatens U.S. communities. NSDUH

decrease.^v This amount further declined to 6.1

reports that just over half (51.3 percent) of

million units in 2019, which marks the lowest

prescription pain reliever users obtained their

amount for the past nine years (See Figure 33).

most recently misused CPDs from a friend or

t. In reference to the data’s unit of measure, one count represents one single report in the NFLIS-Drug database. One single report equates to one

documented occurrence of a drug, whereas each report is counted separately and added to the NFLIS-Drug data.

u. NFLIS-Drug does not distinguish between licit pharmaceuticals and illicitly manufactured drugs. Thus, the data presented may contain both.

v. DEA’s Theft Loss Reporting Database (TLR) is a collection of information reported by registrants under regulatory requirement to report thefts and

losses of controlled substances (21 C.F.R. §§ 1301.74 and 1301.76). Registrants are required to amend reports if the drug originally reported

as a loss is recovered. The systems and requirements also do not capture disposals of controlled substances. The information contained in TLR

generated reports is a complete and accurate record of what DEA registrants provided to TLR in accordance with reporting requirements. This

information is susceptible to future updates and corrections, without notice, as new information is obtained. Recipients should be aware of these

limitations before analyzing or publishing TLR data. DEA assumes no liability for analysis, conclusions, or policy decisions of third parties based

on internal interpretation of provided data. Lastly, the data contains only what has been reported to the electronic TLR system. It may not contain

reports sent back for correction or reports submitted in hardcopy to the local field office. It is important to remember these numbers can change,

based on any new information that is subsequently received. There is no direct correlation between reported theft or loss of controlled substances

and any possible presumption that these drugs were ultimately used for illicit purposes.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 33. Number of Dosage Units for Opioid Thefts/Losses in Millions, 2010 - 2019

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Opioids

12.5

19.5

13.1

11.6

12.4

9.8

9.7

9.4

7.0

6.1

Source: DEA

Figure 34. Total Number of Robberies, 2010 - 2019

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Robbery*

771

712

801

738

836

872

835

884

662

401

*Armed Robberies reported from 2010 to 2018; All Robberies 2019 to date

Source: DEA

According to DEA’s Theft Loss Reporting

The state of Michigan reported only four

Database, the total number of prescription drug

robberies in 2019, a decline of 91 percent

robberies, which resulted in the loss of a variety

from 44 reported armed robberies in 2018

of prescription medications, decreased over 45

before the categories were altered.^w The state

percent in 2019 from the high of 884 armed

of Alabama and the District of Columbia both

robberies in 2017. In fact, 2019 saw the lowest

experienced nearly double the number of

number of robberies in the past nine years (See

armed robberies from 2017 to 2018, but stayed

Figure 34). However, this trend applies only to

consistent in 2019. The state of California

the national level as certain states witnessed

reported the highest number of robberies at 82,

increases in 2019.

which marked a 29 percent decrease from the

previous year. Texas and Maryland maintained

high number of robberies, yet saw significant

Rise in Pharmacy Looting During the

dips from 2018; a 54 percent decrease and

COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Unrest

56 percent decrease, respectively (See Figure

that Occurred in 2020

35). Only six states saw an increased number

of robberies from 2018 to 2019, including Utah

Information received from DEA Field Divisions

indicated an uptick in thefts, burglaries, and/

from zero to 11 and Massachusetts from four

or robberies during the protests that occurred

to 10.

in late May through June 2020. Looters took

In addition to robberies, loss of CPDs also occurs

advantage of the civil unrest during the summer

of 2020 to target local pharmacies and are

through employee theft (or suspected), customer

believed to have stolen various controlled

theft (or non-employee), packaging discrepancy,

prescription drugs.

disaster (fire, weather, etc.), hijacking of

transport vehicle, and break-in burglary, as

well as losses in transit. In 2019, incidents of

employee theft (or suspected) increased in 48

states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

w. The DEA Theft Loss Reporting Database categories fluctuated from 2018 to 2019, thus altering how the data is presented. The reader should take

caution when comparing categories. From 2018 to 2019, “Armed Robbery” became “Robbery” and “Night Break In” became “Break In Burglary.” In

addition, “Packaging Discrepancy” was added in 2019.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 35. Top Ten States for Controlled Prescription Drug Robberies, 2019

Source: DEA

Alaska and Delaware are the only states that

Lost in Transit

experienced a slight decrease in employee theft

Lost in transit describes controlled substances

(or suspected) incidents. Customer theft (or

being misplaced while moving from one point

non-employee) incidents only decreased in five

to another within the supply chain. There has

states: Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, New York, and

been a decrease in lost in transit incidents from

Rhode Island. Break-in burglaries increased

2017 through 2019 (See Figure 36). This data

in 23 states. California reported the highest

is self-reported from any facility that manages

number of break-in burglaries at 248; however,

CPDs. In 2019, 22 states, Puerto Rico, and the

this number has decreased from a high of 339

District of Columbia experienced increases in the

incidents reported in 2016.

number of incidents, with the greatest increases

occurring in the state of Texas and the District

of Columbia. Missouri experienced an increase

for the sixth straight year. Overall, Arizona

accounted for more losses in transit than any

Figure 36. Top Ten States for Controlled Prescription Drugs Lost In Transit, 2019

Source: DEA

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MARIJUANA

decline from over 287,000 kilograms in 2018.

Overview

CBP marijuana seizures along the SWB have

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law and

decreased more than 81 percent since 2013,

is the most commonly used illicit drug in the

when almost 1.3 million kilograms were seized.

United States. The national landscape continues

Lesser volumes of marijuana are smuggled

to evolve as states enact voter referenda and

into the United States from Canada and the

legislation regarding the possession, use, and

Caribbean.

cultivation of marijuana and its associated

products. The prevalence of marijuana use, the

Availability

demand for potent marijuana and marijuana

Marijuana is widely available and cultivated

products, the potential for substantial profit, and

in all 50 states. In 2019, the majority of DEA

the perception of little risk entice diverse drug

Field Divisions indicated marijuana availability

traffickers and criminal organizations to cultivate

was high in their respective areas, meaning

and distribute illegal marijuana throughout the

marijuana is easily obtained at any time. Only

United States.

four DEA Field Divisions—Atlanta, Caribbean,

Mexico remains the most significant foreign

El Paso, and New Jersey—indicated marijuana

source for marijuana in the United States;

availability was moderate, meaning marijuana

however, in U.S. markets, Mexican marijuana has

is generally readily accessible. DEA’s Atlanta

largely been supplanted by domestic-produced

Field Division was the only division that reported

marijuana. In 2019, CBP seized nearly 249,000

marijuana was less available compared to the

kilograms of marijuana along the SWB, a

previous reporting period.

Figure 37. Reports of Cannabis/THC to NFLIS-Drug, 2014 - 2019

Source: National Forensic Laboratory Information-Drug - Retrieved July 10, 2020

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 38. Cannabis/THC Reports to NFLIS-Drug by State, 2019

Source: National Forensic Laboratory Information-Drug - Retrieved July 10, 2020

Cannabis/THC reports to NFLIS-Drug data by

State-Approved Marijuana

forensic laboratories continued to decline in

Measures

2019 (See Figure 37). In 2019, there were

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law.

270,677 marijuana reports submitted to NFLIS-

The federal prohibition on marijuana has

Drug data, a 21 percent decrease from the

existed since the 1937 Marijuana Tax Act, which

344,382 reports submitted in 2018. Cannabis/

was later replaced with the 1970 Controlled

THC was second only to methamphetamine in

Substances Act (CSA). Individual states have

the number of NFLIS-Drug data reports in 2019.

approved a variety of measures since 1996

relating to the use, possession, and cultivation of

marijuana. Figure 39 reflects the categories of

state-approved marijuana measures passed as

of July 2020.

UNCLASSIFIED

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 39. Current State-Approved Marijuana Status - July 2020

Source: DEA

H.R. 5485 - Hemp Farming Act of 2018

The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 legalized industrial hemp with THC concentration of no more than

0.3 percent by removing it from Schedule I of the CSA. Hemp is defined as the plant Cannabis

sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts,

cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9

tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis. The bill

also amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to allow state and tribal regulation of hemp

production. States and Native American tribes may regulate hemp production by submitting plans

to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill makes hemp producers eligible for both

federal crop insurance and USDA research grants, and gives hemp producers water rights and

access to the national banking system. The Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was incorporated into the

Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which was signed into law on December 20, 2018.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

under state law and what is not. Illicit and state-

U.S. Marijuana Markets

approved markets often overlap. This creates

There are three types of marijuana markets

opportunities for criminals looking to exploit

operating in the United States: illicit markets,

state legalization, while presenting challenges

state-approved medical marijuana markets,

for federal law enforcement.

and state-approved personal use/recreational

markets. These markets operate differently

Although many marijuana markets have state-

and are best described independently. Drug

level approval, law enforcement reporting

traffickers obtain supplies from all three

indicates that financial backing for some

markets, as well as foreign-produced marijuana

marijuana businesses flows from illicit

trafficked into the United States.

revenue streams, including from TCOs. These

organizations utilize long-standing black market

A myriad of DTOs cultivate illicit marijuana

techniques to shelter profits from marijuana

nationwide. These groups range from individuals

businesses and undercut the tax revenues

growing a limited number of plants to DTOs

anticipated by state governments.

growing large quantities of marijuana intended

for distribution across the United States. Many

Colorado law limits the amount of marijuana

polycrime and polydrug organizations are

that dispensary customers can purchase per

involved in domestic marijuana production, often

transaction. However, by making multiple

establishing large-scale illicit grow operations in

purchases of marijuana or marijuana products

states that have legalized marijuana.

on the same day, individuals can acquire larger

amounts to divert and sell on the illicit market—

State-approved medical marijuana is diverted

referred to as “looping.”

to the illicit market in several ways. Some

individuals and organizations exploit medical

The 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp production

marijuana allowances to produce or acquire

at the federal level has further challenged law

marijuana or marijuana products. Instead of

enforcement, particularly in states that legalized

using what they purchase or grow, they sell some

marijuana. For example, investigations in

or all of it, often in markets where marijuana is

some states in which marijuana production

not legal at the state level, thus increasing their

is legal under state law have revealed a

profit. Additionally, some marijuana produced

significant number of hemp businesses and

by state-licensed growers is diverted and sold

grow operations that are owned and operated

illicitly rather than through state-licensed

by members of DTOs illegally producing

retailers.

and trafficking marijuana. According to law

enforcement officials, traffickers use their state-

State-approved recreational and personal use

issued hemp documentation as cover for large-

markets are supplied by a growing number of

scale marijuana grows and marijuana loads

state-approved producers and retail stores. As

transported across state lines. Additionally,

with medical marijuana, each state allowing

large hemp grows are sometimes used to hide

for recreational or personal use marijuana has

marijuana plants interspersed throughout the

created unique and often vague or evolving

hemp plants.

laws, which blur the lines between what is legal

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Domestic Production

Increasing Potency

Both state-licensed and illicit domestic

As domestic production and availability continue

marijuana production continue to increase and

to rise, the THC potency of marijuana and

diversify. Expanding marijuana production,

marijuana concentrate products increases as

specifically in states that have legalized the drug,

well. Most states that have legalized marijuana

has led to saturated markets. Meanwhile, black

have not placed limits on THC potency, with the

market marijuana production continues to grow

exception of those states with cannabidiol (CBD)-

in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington,

only provisions.

and other states that have legalized marijuana,

Print and online ads routinely promote smokable

creating an overall decline in prices for illicit

marijuana at levels of 30 percent THC or more

marijuana as well. This further incentivizes drug

available in retail marijuana dispensaries. Some

trafficking organizations operating large-scale

boast marijuana concentrate products with

grow sites in these states to sell to customers in

THC levels exceeding 90 percent. High levels

markets throughout the Midwest and East Coast,

of THC potency is not limited to the marijuana

where marijuana commands a higher price.

industry. Black market growers have also

Marijuana is also shipped via mail and express

capitalized on the wide availability of plant

consignment shipping services from the

strains with high THC content, most of which

United States mainland to the U.S. Virgin Islands

have low CBD content. Data from the University

(USVI). In the USVI, marijuana users generally

of Mississippi’s Potency Monitoring Program

desire marijuana with a higher THC and often

shows that in 2019, average THC potency in

obtain it from areas in the United States where

both traditional and concentrated marijuana

medical and/or recreational marijuana is legal.

decreased from 2018—although still at a high

level (See Figure 40).

Figure 40. Average THC and CBD Potency of Traditional

and Concentrated Marijuana, 1995 - 2019

Source: University of Mississippi

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Of the states with some form of legalized

Indoor Grow Operations

marijuana, about one-third prohibit private

State-approved private marijuana cultivation,

residents from growing their own marijuana.

often referred to as “home grows,” has changed

The rest allow for private grows in the general

the nationwide marijuana trafficking landscape.

range of 6 to 12 plants with varying stipulations

State laws vary widely with regard to how many

on how many can be mature plants and how

medical and recreational plants an individual is

many can be seedlings. Among those, Colorado

allowed to cultivate and whether or not medical

remains as an outlier. While a state law enacted

marijuana patients are required to register home

in 2018 limits home grows to 12 total plants

grows with the state. Consequently, it is largely

within a residence, medical marijuana patients

unknown how many people may be cultivating

can still get higher plant recommendations from

marijuana within the parameters of state-

physicians and can legally grow up to 99 plants,

approved marijuana legality.

provided the grow is not located in a residential

property.

Criminal Organizations and Marijuana

Figure 41. DTO-operated Residential

Profits

Marijuana Grows

Where personal marijuana cultivation is legal

at the state level, growing marijuana for profit

offers drug traffickers substantial profit with

little risk. A grower with some experience and

the proper equipment can produce up to one

pound of marijuana per plant per 90-day growing

cycle. Therefore, six marijuana plants can

produce roughly 24 pounds of marijuana in a

year. The average black market price for high

quality indoor marijuana is $800 - $1,000 USC

per pound, meaning growers can potentially

earn $19,200 - $24,000 USC per year from six

Source: DEA Denver Field Division

“legal” plants. Prices are higher in state markets

Indoor cultivation provides year-round harvests,

where marijuana is not legal, meaning growers

along with privacy and security compared to

can command double or even triple the average

black market price.

outdoor cultivation. Indoor grows can yield

marijuana regardless of climate conditions or

DEA reporting indicates drug trafficking

growing seasons. Personal home grows are

organizations with substantial experience,

often located in residential houses, though some

equipment, and resources are able to produce

large medical marijuana grows and cooperative

up to 1,800 pounds of marijuana per year for

every 100 plants cultivated, earning as much

grows can be found in warehouses or industrial

as $5.4 million USC in that time from those 100

space.

plants.

The conversion of residential properties into

marijuana greenhouses presents significant risks

to homeowners, neighbors, utility companies,

and first responders. Indoor grows require large

amounts of water and artificial light, creating

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

high demand on local utilities. Neighborhoods

by poisoning and destroying natural habitats.

with large or many grows experience blown

In a 2017 report, the National Wildlife Refuge

transformers and blackouts. Trafficking groups

System in California, Nevada, and the Klamath

often steal power by illegally wiring directly into

Basin reported these sites are dangerous to

the city’s power system, which drives up the

employees and to the public in general, and are

price of power for legitimate customers and

expensive to find and reclaim. Illicit cultivation

creates a significant fire hazard.

of marijuana also threatens statewide water

resources.

Marijuana grow homes often sustain severe

structural damage. Moisture, condensation,

Figure 42. Illicit Outdoor Marijuana Grow

and mold can spread throughout the residence.

Illegal growers often cut holes in floors and

exterior walls in order to install ventilation tubes,

as well as tamper with electrical systems in

order to supply multiple high-power grow lights

and industrial air-conditioning units. Altered

electrical systems with loose and entangled

wires; flammable fertilizers and chemicals;

explosive materials, such as propane and

butane; holes cut into subfloors; booby

traps; and weapons all pose clear hazards to

Source: DEA Los Angeles Field Division

firefighters or police officers responding to the

residence in an emergency.

Domestic Cannabis

Eradication/Suppression

Outdoor Grow Operations

Program

Outdoor grows are conducted in a variety

During FY 2019, DEA’s Domestic Cannabis

of settings, from backyards to multiple-acre

Eradication/Suppression Program (DCE/

public lands, and are frequently co-mingled

SP), in coordination with state and local law

among legitimate crops and natural vegetation.

enforcement agencies, documented over 4

Marijuana cultivation on public lands is

million plants and 363,098 pounds of processed

undiminished despite state legalization. Grows

marijuana seized from 5,287 outdoor and indoor

on public lands are often in remote areas that

grow sites throughout the United States (See

are difficult to access and expensive to maintain.

Figures 43 and 44). This reflects a 30 percent

These grows are challenging for law enforcement

increase in total plants eradicated compared to

to discover and eradicate.

FY 2018 (2.8 million plants). Outdoor grow sites

Large outdoor grow sites have significant

accounted for most of the increase. The number

negative environmental impacts. Millions of

of plants eradicated from outdoor grow sites rose

acres of public lands are at risk of devastation

by over 1 million from FY 2018 to FY 2019 (a 45

from the illegal cultivation of marijuana. Large

percent increase), while the number of plants

grow operations produce tons of toxic waste that

eradicated from indoor grow sites rose by more

permeate the landscape and endanger wildlife

than 172,000 (a 22 percent increase).

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

California topped the list at 1,344 outdoor

Criminal Organizations and

grows, up from 889 in FY 2018. Next were

Black Market Production

Kentucky (583) and Ohio (477). Likewise,

Operations

California topped the list at 644 indoor grows,

Many DTOs and TCOs involved in large-scale

followed by Colorado (118) and Maryland (90).

marijuana production are also involved in other

Of the total number of plants eradicated, 79

criminal activity, including financial fraud,

percent (3.19 million) were in California, an

international money laundering, and polydrug

increase from FY 2018, when 1.8 million plants

trafficking and production. Marijuana generates

were eradicated in that state. Over half (54

millions of dollars that furthers the scope of their

percent) of the bulk processed marijuana seized

criminal activity throughout the United States.

was also in California, followed by Arizona (18

percent), Colorado (5 percent), and Oklahoma

Marijuana is often seized in conjunction with

(5 percent). From the eradication sites, there

other illicit drugs. In 2019, DEA offices in

were 3,210 weapons seized, with California

southern California noted several instances

accounting for almost half (46 percent).

wherein THC extraction laboratories were

discovered along with psilocybin mushroom

Figure 43. Number of Marijuana

grows or illicit fentanyl pill press operations.

Plants Eradicated by DCE/SP,

FY 2018 and FY 2019

• In April 2020, eight members of a DTO operating in

the Chicago area were arrested and 32 pounds of THC

oil, 120 pounds of THC-infused gummies, 135 pounds

of marijuana, several firearms, and approximately

$762,000 in U.S. currency (USC) were seized as part

of an ongoing investigation into a drug trafficking and

money laundering organization with ties to Mexican

DTOs. Several of the arrested DTO members were

Mexican money launderers.

Source: DEA’s Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression

• An investigation into a methamphetamine and

Program

marijuana distribution organization operating in

Kentucky and Tennessee culminated with federal

Figure 44. Number of Pounds of Bulk

search warrants executed in December 2019. Law

Harvested Marijuana Seized at Indoor

enforcement seized approximately 4.5 kilograms

and Outdoor Grow Sites by DCE/SP,

of methamphetamine, 366 pounds of marijuana,

FY 2018 and FY 2019

and 400 vape cartridges containing 65-85 percent

THC concentrate. The sources of supply for

this organization included an affiliate of a white

supremacist group and outlaw motorcycle gang.

Source: DEA’s Domestic Cannabis Eradication and Suppression

Program

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 46. Illicit Concentrated Marijuana

Marijuana Concentrates/

Distillation Laboratory

Extracts and THC Extraction

Labs

THC extraction laboratories continue to produce

marijuana concentrates such as hashish, hash

oil, and kief, which have gained popularity in

the United States. Marijuana concentrates

often are ingested through e-cigarettes and

vape devices. Marijuana concentrates are

also in edible products like cookies, brownies,

and gummy candies, as well as topical lotions,

tinctures, capsules, and patches. These potent

Source: DEA San Diego Field Division

forms of marijuana present challenges to law

Clandestine distillation laboratories are

enforcement, educators, and parents, as they

increasingly encountered by law enforcement in

are easier to conceal and ingest than traditional

California, which use sophisticated equipment to

leafy marijuana. Additionally, such products

remove impurities from concentrated marijuana.

pose a significant health risk to children who

This removal process, sometimes referred to as

might mistakenly consume them.

“winterization,” can produce a THC product with

• In April 2020, multiple drug-laden parcels that were

90 percent purity or higher (See Figure 46).

shipped from California to South Carolina were

interdicted. The packages included marijuana and

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), a Schedule

numerous THC edibles that mimicked legitimately

I drug, is available in both state-licensed

manufactured candy and food products

marijuana retail markets and the illicit market.

(See Figure 45).

It is advertised as the strongest

Figure 45. THC-infused Candy and Cereal

form of hash, containing up to 99

percent THC. THCA is a biosynthetic

precursor of THC and is extracted

using various methods from undried

cannabis plants. It is typically clear

or white in color, with a texture in the

form of crystals, powder, or oil. THCA

converts to THC when it is heated.

The substance is typically dabbed

(i.e. inhaling the vapors) to achieve

an intense high.

Extraction laboratories using volatile

solvents, such as butane and

hexane, continue to cause explosions

and fires, resulting in injuries and

structural damage (See Figure 47).

Source: Charleston County Sheriff’s Office

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 47. Clandestine THC Extraction

Transportation and

Laboratory

Distribution

According to DEA drug seizure data, total gross

weight nationwide marijuana seizures declined

by 30 percent from 441,037 kilograms in 2018

to 309,012 kilograms in 2019. Overall, DEA

marijuana seizures have been declining since

2015 when 886,200 kilograms were seized (See

Figure 49). The decrease in seizures is most

likely caused by the challenges presented by the

changing marijuana legal landscape.

Source: DEA Los Angeles Field Division

State-level DEA (net weight) marijuana seizures

For calendar year 2019, a total of 180 extraction

generally followed previously established

laboratories were reported to NSS; 81 percent of

patterns. The highest seizures occurred in

the laboratories were reported in California, and

states with major land border crossings or

14 percent were reported in Oregon (See Figure

high traffic seaports, as well as in states with

48). Four percent of the reported extraction

large recreational or medical marijuana state-

laboratories were listed at residential locations

approved markets (See Figure 50). California

and another 26 percent were reported/

and Texas had the largest marijuana seizure

discovered as the result of a fire or explosion.

levels, consistent with previous years, followed

by Arizona and Colorado.

Figure 48. BHO/THC Extraction Laboratories Seized in the United States, 2019

Source: El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 49. DEA Nationwide Marijuana

planes. The use of commercial parcel services

Seizures in Kilograms, 2015 - 2019

is also common especially for trafficking

concentrated forms of marijuana, which are

concealed in envelopes, small containers, or

flattened parcels.

Foreign-Produced Marijuana

Marijuana is also smuggled into the

United States from Mexico, and in smaller

Source: DEA

volumes from Canada and the Caribbean.

Marijuana produced in the United States is often

Marijuana from Mexico is typically classified as

trafficked from states where production is legal

“commercial-grade” or “low-grade” marijuana,

to or through states where production is not.

lesser in quality than marijuana produced in

Domestically produced marijuana is transported

the United States and Canada. High-grade

in POVs, rented vehicles, semi-trucks, tractor-

marijuana is transported from Canada, which

trailers, vehicle hauler trailers, trains, and buses

legalized marijuana in October 2018, into the

as well as through personal and commercial

United States at various points along the shared

Figure 50. DEA State-Level Marijuana Seizures in Kilograms, 2019

Source: DEA

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

border, particularly through the Mohawk Nation

In response to an increased demand for

at Akwesasne, bordering New York State and

marijuana concentrate products in the

Canada.

United States, TCOs in Mexico have begun

producing and trafficking THC oil.

Jamaica continues to be the largest Caribbean

• Between May 2019 and January 2020, five seizures

marijuana supplier to local Caribbean nations;

of THC oil occurred in Arizona’s west desert corridor,

however, production is increasing in Puerto Rico

totaling 607 pounds. In each case, backpackers were

and the USVI.

transporting the THC oil through Arizona’s west desert.

Large quantities of foreign-produced marijuana

• In April 2020, CBP officers at the Port Huron, Michigan

are smuggled into the United States via POVs,

POE discovered 788 kilograms of marijuana pressed

and packaged into 48 bundles hidden in a semi-truck

commercial vehicles, buses, rail systems,

driven by a Canadian citizen.

subterranean tunnels, small boats, unmanned

aerial vehicles/drones, and catapults.

Outlook

Backpackers also walk loads of marijuana

across the SWB. Once marijuana has been

Domestic use of marijuana remains high and is

smuggled into the United States, it is often

likely to increase as state legalization continues

stored in warehouses along the border prior to

and perception of risk by potential users

distribution throughout the United States.

continues to decrease. The high availability of

high-potency marijuana, marijuana concentrate

According to CBP information, marijuana

products, and trendy paraphernalia will likely

seizures along the SWB have continued to

continue to entice potential users. Domestic

decline as domestic production increases.

production and trafficking of marijuana will

The total weight seized by CBP along the SWB

likely increase as more states adopt or change

decreased 13 percent from 287,398 kilograms

current marijuana laws to establish medical or

in 2018 to 248,585 kilograms in 2019.

recreational marijuana markets.

• In June 2020, authorities seized 779 kilograms of

Despite widespread state legalization measures,

marijuana hidden in the cab of a tractor-trailer crossing

the World Trade Bridge from Mexico into Laredo, Texas

TCOs will continue to expand their illicit

(See Figure 51).

marijuana production and trafficking, earning

substantial profits that will further enhance their

Figure 51. 1,344 packages of

marijuana totaling 5,779 kilograms

polydrug trafficking and polycriminal operations.

seized in Laredo, Texas

Marijuana produced in Mexico will continue

to be trafficked into the United States in bulk

quantities and may increase in quality to

compete with domestic-produced marijuana.

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Laredo Sector

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UNCLASSIFIED

NEW PSYCHOACTIVE

SUBSTANCES (NPSs)

many substances quickly rise to popularity and

Overview

then fall out of use or are no longer available.

New Psychoactive Substances (NPSs) are a

Some of these changes are likely due to

diverse group of synthetic substances that are

regulatory controls on specific NPSs, which have

purported to have similar effects to controlled

been successful in discouraging NPS use and

substances. The NPS market is typified by

availability among the general population.

new substances constantly being created

and marketed to users, most often as legal

The majority of DEA Field Divisions indicated

alternatives to controlled substances. Synthetic

NPS availability was low or moderate throughout

cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones are the

the United States. In 2019, 11 of 23 DEA Field

most common classes of NPSs available and

Divisions reported NPS availability was moderate

abused in the United States; however, there are

and nine reported NPS availability was low,

many other classes of NPSs including opioids^x,

with only three divisions reporting high NPS

phenethylamines, tryptamines, benzodiazepines,

availability. Of the 23 divisions, two reported

and piperazines. Synthetic cannabinoids

NPS availability increased between 2018 and

are commonly applied to plant material or

2019 and two divisions reported NPS availability

suspended in an oil and are designed to be

decreased between 2018 and 2019. NPS

smoked or used in e-cigarettes. Synthetic

availability across the United States remained

cathinones are usually powder or crystal

largely unchanged in 2019 in comparison to

substances, typically consumed in powder,

2018.The number of NPSs worldwide stabilized

tablet, or capsule form. In addition to these

at around 500 substances identified per year

classes of NPSs, designer benzodiazepines and

between 2015 and 2017, according to a report

synthetic opioids garnered significant national

from the United Nations Office on Drugs and

attention in 2019 for their presence in overdoses

Crime (UNODC).

and deaths.

Synthetic Cannabinoids

Availability

According to NFLIS-Drug, in 2019 there were

The NPS market continues to feature new

18,591 synthetic cannabinoid reports, which

substances belonging to a multitude of chemical

represents a 21 percent decrease compared

structural classes, which are responsible for

to the 23,416 synthetic cannabinoid reports in

overdoses across the country, thus posing a

2018. The most commonly occurring synthetic

significant risk to communities. While some

cannabinoid in the United States in 2019 was

substances are encountered year after year,

5F-MDMB-PICA, which represented 31 percent

x. Synthetic opioids, as a class of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), include fentanyl-related substances in addition to other synthetic drugs. Given

the threat posed by fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances/fentanyl analogues, those substances are discussed in their own section of this report.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Figure 52. Ten Most Frequently Reported Synthetic

Cannabinoids to NFLIS-Drug by Percentage, 2019

Source: National Forensic Laboratory Information System-Drug - Retrieved July 10, 2020

of the top 10 synthetic cannabinoids reports

• In February 2020, DEA’s Gulfport, Mississippi RO

analyzed an express package seized from the Terre

to NFLIS-Drug data. The next most commonly

Haute federal prison containing two legal sized

occurring synthetic cannabinoids in 2019 were

envelopes. Officers examined the papers inside the

fluoro-MDMB-PICA and 4F-MDMB-BINACA,

envelopes and believed that at least some of them

representing 16 percent and 14 percent,

were soaked in a solution containing FUB-AMB. This

seizure was related to a DTO suspected of trafficking

respectively, of the top 10 synthetic cannabinoid

synthetic cannabinoids into at least 13 different

reports to NFLIS-Drug data (See Figure 52).

federal prisons using a network of inmates.

5F-MDMB-PICA was officially placed in Schedule

Figure 53. Synthetic Cannabinoid

I of the CSA in April 2019. 4F-MDMB-BINACA

5F-MDMB-PICA Sold as “Herbal Hookah”

is controlled as a Schedule I substance as

a positional isomer of 5F-AMB, a Schedule I

controlled substance under the CSA since

April 2017.

Synthetic cannabinoids are most commonly

inhaled. These substances are commonly

smoked in cigarettes, pipes, and other smoking

devices. Synthetic cannabinoids are also

available in an oil form for use in e-cigarettes

or vape pens and are sometimes pressed into

Source: DEA

counterfeit prescription pills.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 54. Number of Exposure Calls to the American Association of

Poison Control Centers for Synthetic Cannabinoids, 2011 - 2019

Source: American Association of Poison Control Centers

The American Association of Poison Control

increases and decreases in calls to poison

Centers (AAPCC) reports that in 2019 there were

control centers occur for multiple reasons,

1,157 calls to poison centers across the country

such as the short-lived popularity of some

regarding synthetic cannabinoid exposure (See

NPS varieties or medical providers becoming

Figure 54). This is an 85 percent decrease from

increasingly familiar with proper treatments for

the record-high 7,792 AAPCC calls in 2015 and

these substances, lessening the need for them

a 42 percent decrease from 2018. The sharp

to contact poison control centers.

Figure 55. Ten Most Frequently Reported Synthetic Cathinones

to NFLIS-Drug by Percentage, 2019

Source: National Forensic Laboratory Information System-Drug - Retrieved July 10, 2020

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Isotonitazene is a potent synthetic opioid

Synthetic Cathinones

similar in chemical structure to etonitazene, a

In 2019, there were 9,575 reports of synthetic

highly potent Schedule I substance. In August

cathinones^y to NFLIS-Drug, a 28 percent

2020, DEA issued a temporary order to place

decrease from the 13,226 reports in 2018. The

isotonitazene as a Schedule I substance of the

most frequently reported synthetic cathinone

CSA. The abuse of isotonitazene is consistent

in 2019 was eutylone at 58 percent, according

with the traditional opioid abuse pattern.

to NFLIS-Drug. The second most common

Available scientific data demonstrates that

synthetic cathinone was N-ethylpentylone at 19

isotonitazene may be similar in potency to

percent (See Figure 55). Eutylone is a positional

fentanyl, meaning the drug poses a significant

isomer of pentylone and is therefore a Schedule

threat of overdose to users. Isotonitazene

I substance under the CSA. DEA published

can be encountered in numerous forms, one

a temporary scheduling order controlling

of the most popular being in the form of illicit

N-ethylpentylone in Schedule I of the CSA in

counterfeit eight milligram hydromorphone

August 2018.

tablets. The drug has been detected in

Synthetic cathinones are usually consumed in

numerous cases and fatal overdoses in the

pill or capsule form, but sometimes users will

Midwest through April 2020.

smoke or insufflate (sniff) them. Many synthetic

Flualprazolam is a designer benzodiazepine

cathinones are commonly misrepresented and/

with a relatively short onset of action, similar

or sold as substitutes for MDMA for use in the

to alprazolam. As of March 2020, the United

rave and club scenes because of the energy and

Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs decided

euphoria reportedly provide.

to add flualprazolam to Schedule IV of the 1971

• In April 2020, DEA’s Savannah, Georgia RO along with

Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The

the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Postal Inspection

drug has been marketed as a research chemical

Service obtained 20 suspected eutylone pills from a

since at least 2017 and, similar to isotonitazene,

dark web supplier. The pills were ordered and arrived

users often purchase the drug through online

in a heat sealed package containing 24 pills with a

variety of colors and stamps.

marketplaces and dark web marketplaces.

Figure 56. Illicit Counterfeit Alprazolam Bar

Other Emerging NPSs

Tablets Containing Flualprazolam

Although synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic

cathinones are far and away the types of NPSs

most available in the United States, in 2019

and 2020 there were two other NPSs that were

noted for causing overdoses and deaths across

the country: isotonitazene and flualprazolam.

Historically, different NPSs rise and fall in

popularity every year based on their availability

from international sellers, as well as their

scheduling status both internationally and in the

Source: DEA

United States.

y. Synthetic cathinones are stimulants meant to produce similar effects as amphetamine or ecstasy.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Flualprazolam is commonly sold in the form

Production

of illicit counterfeit alprazolam bar tablets

NPSs are created in laboratories and do not

(See Figure 56) and is often marketed as an

require any plant material for production.

alternative benzodiazepine. As flualprazolam

Each variety requires different precursors

is a relatively newly trafficked designer

and chemical processes to synthesize. These

benzodiazepine, users who are abusing the

substances are widely available in China and

substance, knowingly or unknowingly, are at an

other Asian and European countries. Therefore,

increased risk for overdose and/or death.

most U.S.-based traffickers purchase the NPS

Indictment of Synthetic Cannabinoid Traffickers in Virginia

In March 2020, four individuals were indicted for distributing synthetic cannabinoids that resulted

in bodily injury and death. The charges stemmed from an investigation beginning in April 2017

into the retail distribution of synthetic cannabinoids from a convenience store at a gas station in

Warrenton, Virginia. Local law enforcement reporting indicated that several individuals had been

admitted to local emergency rooms after having consumed quantities of synthetic cannabinoids

from the gas station in Warrenton. In December 2017, law enforcement executed search warrants

in connection with the investigation and seized seven kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids and over

$400,000 USC.

Further reporting revealed the cannabinoids were purchased from an online website which

marketed synthetic cannabinoids as herbal incense. The four indicted individuals were assessed

to be the suppliers of the cannabinoids available in the convenience store. These individuals

reportedly utilized multiple warehouses in Palm Desert, California, as storage facilities for their

cannabinoid trafficking operation. In 2019, agents searched these warehouses and seized over

30 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids from thousands of packets in silver envelopes containing

one, five, and ten-gram quantities, along with $45,000 USC (See Figure 57). Throughout the

investigation, laboratory analysis revealed that the indicted individuals were trafficking multiple

Schedule I controlled synthetic cannabinoids, including 5F-ADB, 5F-MDMB-PICA, FUB-AMB, and

ADB-FUBINACA.

Figure 57. Seized Synthetic Cannabinoids in Packages and Oils

Source: DEA

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

already synthesized and have them shipped

Outlook

through mail carriers to perform final processing

NPSs continue to pose a nationwide threat,

and packaging domestically.

causing occasional spikes in overdoses and

Domestic cannabinoid processing facilities are

deaths, though NPSs are unlikely to pose the

found in residential spaces, such as homes and

same level of threat as other illicit drugs. The

garages, and in warehouses. Traffickers dissolve

availability of both synthetic cannabinoids

powders into a solvent, typically ethanol, or

and synthetic cathinones, the two primary

acetone, to create a liquid solution. Cement

types of NPS available in the United States,

mixers distribute the synthetic cannabinoid

will likely remain stable. As many previously

solution on dry plant material (usually damiana

popular substances are controlled, other new

leaf), or it can be sprayed onto dry plant

substances are developed and rise quickly in

material. Once dry, the synthetic cannabinoids

popularity. Two new NPSs—isotonitazene and

are packaged into individual foil packets for

flualprazolam, have gained national attention in

sales, with each packet containing anywhere

2019 and 2020 due to their presence in abuse

from a few grams to ten or more grams of

and overdose deaths, indicating that these

product.

substances may increase the threat posed by

NPSs in the near term if the popularity of these

Transportation and

drugs continues to rise.

Distribution

Wholesale quantities of NPSs are usually

trafficked to the United States via commercial

mail carriers from China, often intentionally

mislabeled or described as not for human

consumption in an attempt to avoid scrutiny

from domestic law enforcement and customs

officials. Synthetic cannabinoids are commonly

distributed in gas stations and smoke shops

throughout the United States. At the street level,

users and distributors will often use generic

names to refer to synthetic cannabinoids (spice,

K2) and cathinones (bath salts), indicating that

neither the user nor the distributor/trafficker

knows exactly which cannabinoid or cathinone

they are consuming or selling. Sales have

increasingly moved to street sales in traditional

illicit drug markets as law enforcement and local

business regulations have targeted stores selling

synthetic cannabinoids.

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TRANSNATIONAL CRIMINAL

ORGANIZATIONS

Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations

independent DTOs, and working in conjunction

Overview

with transnational gangs, U.S.-based street

Mexican TCOs continue to control lucrative

gangs, prison gangs, and Asian money

smuggling corridors, primarily across the SWB,

laundering organizations (MLOs). Mexican

and maintain the greatest drug trafficking

TCOs export significant wholesale quantities of

influence in the United States. The two largest

fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine,

organizations, the Sinaloa Cartel and the

and marijuana into the United States annually.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), show

The drugs are delivered to user markets in the

signs of expansion in Mexico, demonstrating

United States through transportation routes and

their continued influence even compared to

distribution cells that are managed or influenced

other Mexican TCOs. These TCOs expand their

by Mexican TCOs, and with the cooperation and

criminal influence by engaging in business

participation of local street gangs

alliances with other organizations, including

(See Figure 58).

Figure 58. United States: Areas of Influence of Major Mexican

Transnational Criminal Organizations by Individual Cartel

Source: DEA

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Sinaloa Cartel

Most Significant Mexican

TCOs Currently Active in the

The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the oldest and most

United States

established TCOs in Mexico. The Sinaloa Cartel

DEA considers the following nine Mexican TCOs

has significant presence in 15 of the 32 Mexican

as having the greatest drug trafficking impact on

states and controls drug trafficking activity in

the United States: Sinaloa Cartel, CJNG, Beltran-

various regions in Mexico, particularly along

Leyva Organization, Cartel del Noreste and Los

the Pacific Coast in northwestern Mexico and

Zetas, Guerreros Unidos, Gulf Cartel, Juarez

near Mexico’s southern and northern borders.

Cartel and La Linea, La Familia Michoacána,

Additionally, the Sinaloa Cartel maintains the

and Los Rojos. These TCOs maintain drug

most expansive international footprint compared

distribution cells in cities across the

to other Mexican TCOs, providing the group an

United States that either report directly to TCO

added advantage over its rivals. The Sinaloa

leaders in Mexico or report indirectly through

Cartel exports and distributes wholesale

intermediaries. The cartels dominate the drug

amounts of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine,

trade influencing the United States market, with

cocaine, and marijuana in the United States by

most cartels having a polydrug market approach

maintaining distribution hubs in various cities.

that allows for maximum flexibility and resiliency

Illicit drugs distributed by the Sinaloa Cartel

of their operations (See Figures 58 and 59).

are primarily smuggled into the United States

Figure 59. United States: Areas of Influence of Major Mexican

Transnational Criminal Organizations by DEA Field Division

Source: DEA

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

through crossing points located along the SWB.

Beltran-Leyva Organization (BLO)

The cartel employs gatekeepers assigned to

The Beltran-Leyva Organization was a once

POEs and controls Arizona and California area

powerful group and, despite the deaths or

smuggling corridors into the United States. The

arrests of various leaders in recent years,

primary fentanyl threat to the United States

continues to function throughout Mexico in

is most likely the Sinaloa Cartel due to their

a less structured manner than the cartel

demonstrated ability to run clandestine fentanyl

historically operated. BLO relies on its loose

synthesis labs in Sinaloa Cartel dominant areas

alliances with larger cartels for access to

in Mexico.

drug smuggling corridors along the SWB.

BLO members primarily traffic heroin,

Cartel Jalisco Nueva

methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.

Generación (CJNG)

The Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, also

Los Zetas and Cartel del

referred to as Jalisco New Generation Cartel,

Noreste (CDN)

is one of the fastest growing cartels—with

Los Zetas and their most prominent faction,

CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel being the two

Cartel del Noreste, have a presence in

most dominant TCOs in Mexico. CJNG has a

northeastern Mexico. From there, members

significant presence in 23 of the 32 Mexican

smuggle the majority of their illicit drugs through

states with most of its growth and territory

the SWB in the areas of Laredo, Texas; Eagle

being in central Mexico and strategic locations

Pass, Texas; and the Mexican states of Coahuila,

on the border between the Unites States and

Nuevo Leon, and parts of Tamaulipas. CDN’s

Mexico. The CJNG smuggles illicit drugs into the

leadership structure has been weakened by

United States by accessing various trafficking

law enforcement efforts and internal conflicts;

corridors in northern Mexico along the SWB

however, the cartel is still operational and able to

including Tijuana, Juarez, and Nuevo Laredo.

control the flow of drugs in their territories.

The CJNG also has influence over the busiest

port in Mexico, the Port of Manzanillo, and

Guerreros Unidos (GU)

utilizes that influence for the distribution of large

Guerreros Unidos is a cartel based in the

quantities of drugs. The CJNG’s rapid expansion

Mexican state of Guerrero. Its presence in the

of its drug trafficking activities is characterized

region creates a high degree of violence. GU

by the group’s willingness to engage in violent

was originally a splinter group from BLO and

confrontations with Mexican government

has become increasingly involved in the heroin

security forces and rival cartels. Like most major

trade. The cartel has a working partnership with

Mexican TCOs, the CJNG is a polydrug trafficking

the CJNG and uses the same transportation

group, manufacturing and distributing large

networks to move drug shipments into the

amounts of fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine,

United States and to return drug proceeds back

and cocaine.

to Mexico.

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

►

Gulf Cartel

Structure and Characteristics

The Gulf Cartel holds its power base in parts of

Mexican TCO members operating in the

the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and in the state

United States can be traced back to leading

of Zacatecas, and may have alliances with CJNG

cartel figures in Mexico, often through familial

members working in that region of Mexico. The

ties. U.S.-based TCO members may reside in

Gulf Cartel focuses its drug trafficking activities

the United States prior to employment by a

on heroin and cocaine by transporting loads

Mexican TCO. In some cases, U.S.-based TCO

into the United States near the McAllen and

members are given high-ranking positions within

Brownsville, Texas, areas.

the organization upon returning to Mexico after

years of successful activity in the United States.

Juarez Cartel and La Linea

The Sinaloa Cartel maintains the widest national

influence, with its most dominant positions

The Juarez Cartel and the faction unit La Linea

along the West Coast, in the Midwest, and in

are two once powerful groups and, although

the Northeast. The CJNG continues to be the

not as expansive as other cartels, they continue

Mexican TCO with second-most widespread

to impact the United States through their drug

domestic influence.

trafficking activities. These cartels’ greatest

territorial influence is in the state of Chihuahua

U.S.-based Mexican TCO affiliates compose

near the SWB. This area has profitable

various compartmentalized cells and are

smuggling opportunities between Ciudad Juarez

assigned to specific functions, to include: drug

and El Paso, Texas. These drug traffickers target

distribution or transportation, consolidation of

this corridor to smuggle shipments of heroin,

drug proceeds, or money laundering. Mexican

methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.

TCO operations in the United States typically

function as a supply chain to maximize

La Familia Michoacána (LFM)

operational security. Operators in the chain

La Familia Michoacána’s organizational base is

are aware of their specific function, but are

in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. The group’s

unaware of other aspects of an operation. In

operational capacity has degraded recently due

most cases, individuals hired to transport

to cartel feuding and successful law enforcement

drug shipments within the United States are

operations. LFM has some ties to the CJNG and

independent, third-party “contractors” who may

also works with other smaller groups to further

work for multiple Mexican TCOs. The number

the cartel’s drug trafficking activities.

of these transportation groups is increasing in

some areas, and they often transport smaller

Los Rojos

shipments.

Los Rojos is a splinter group of BLO, similar to

U.S.-based Mexican TCO members generally

GU, generating violence in the Mexican regions

coordinate the transportation and distribution

where they are active. Los Rojos is involved in

of wholesale quantities of illicit drugs to U.S.

heroin trafficking. The group’s leadership rotates

markets while smaller local groups and street

more regularly than other cartels due to frequent

gangs—who are not directly affiliated with

arrests of members.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Mexican TCOs—typically handle retail-level

Violence

distribution. At times, Mexican TCOs collaborate

While drug-related violence in Mexico remains

directly with local criminal groups and gangs

a concern, there is minimal spillover violence

across the United States to distribute and

in the United States, as U.S.-based Mexican

transport drugs at the retail level.

TCO members generally refrain from inter-cartel

violence to avoid detection and increased

Drug Smuggling and

scrutiny by law enforcement. Mexican TCO-

Transportation Methods

related acts of violence do occur in parts of

Mexican TCOs transport the majority of illicit

the United States, particularly along the SWB;

drugs entering into the United States, moving

however, they are less frequent and mainly

product across the SWB using a wide array of

associated with ‘trafficker-on-trafficker’ incidents.

smuggling techniques. Cartels transport bulk

quantity, polydrug loads via commercial and

Money Laundering Activity

passenger vehicles as well as via underground

Mexican TCOs generate billions of dollars

tunnels. These cross-border tunnels originate

annually through the sale of illegal drugs in

in Mexico and lead into safe houses on the U.S.

the United States. The cartels utilize a variety

side of the border. TCOs exploit major highway

of methodologies to counter law enforcement

routes for transportation and the most common

efforts to identify and confiscate illicit proceeds

method employed involves smuggling illicit drugs

in the United States and Mexico. TCOs use

through U.S. POEs in passenger vehicles with

members to transport cash across the border in

concealed compartments or commingled with

vehicles, small aircraft, and by couriers. They

legitimate goods on tractor-trailers.

also use wire transfers, shell and legitimate

business accounts, funnel accounts, and

Mexican TCOs also transport illicit drugs into

structured deposits with money remitters in

the United States aboard commercial cargo

order to move money while concealing the

trains, passenger buses, and maritime vessels

routing of the illicit proceeds. Mexican TCOs also

clandestinely or through official maritime

use cryptocurrencies to further their criminal

POEs. Mexican TCOs rely on traditional drug

enterprise. Furthermore, Asian MLOs engage in

smuggling methods, such as the use of

the laundering of drug proceeds on behalf of the

backpackers and couriers, when smuggling

Mexican TCOs.

drugs across remote areas of the SWB into the

United States. Mexican TCOs also exploit various

Impact of COVID-19

aerial methods to transport illicit drugs across

the SWB. These methods include the use of

Mexican TCOs’ long term operational outlook

ultralight aircraft and unmanned aerial systems

and capacities were not significantly impacted by

(drones) to conduct airdrops.

the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to their drug

trafficking and drug production activities. Most

significantly, the Sinaloa Cartel and the CJNG

used the COVID-19 pandemic to artificially inflate

pricing for methamphetamine. According to DEA

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

reporting, both the Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG may

also have been withholding regular shipments of

methamphetamine into the United States, which

allowed the cartels to increase the wholesale

price. Although DEA reporting suggests Mexican

TCOs may have encountered initial difficulties

obtaining precursor chemicals at the onset of

the pandemic, there are likely no long term

significant impacts from COVID-19-related

government restrictions. Therefore, there will

likely be no significant long term impacts on the

availability or the capability for Mexican TCOs

to obtain the necessary precursor chemicals to

produce synthetic drugs.

Mexican TCOs’ financial situations have been

influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, as DEA

reporting suggests that the pandemic has

affected both the global and domestic illicit

financial networks that the TCOs use. These

disruptions include the transportation of

bulk currency, the processing performed by

illicit money brokers, the operations of Asian

MLOs (specifically Chinese money laundering

networks), and trade-based money laundering.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Colombian Transnational Criminal Organizations

Overview

Large-scale Colombian TCOs

Colombian TCOs continue to influence the U.S.

Recently, various Armed Criminal Organizations

illicit drug market. According to DEA’s CSP,

(Grupos Armados Organizados or GAOs)

approximately 91 percent of the cocaine seized

and dissident factions of the Revolutionary

in the United States and tested by the CSP is of

Armed Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Armadas

Colombian origin. Colombian TCOs continue to

Revolucionarias de Colombia or FARC) have

control the production and supply of cocaine,

dominated the drug trade in Colombia.

and rely on partnerships with Mexican TCOs

The most significant Colombian TCO with an

to smuggle cocaine from Colombia to U.S.

impact on the U.S. drug market is the Gulf

markets. Mexican TCOs dominate the wholesale

Clan, also known as Los Urabeños, Clan del

distribution of Colombian cocaine into the

Golfo, and Clan Úsuga. This TCO functions as

United States. Principally, large-scale Colombian

a highly structured and centralized criminal

TCOs work closely with Mexican and Central

enterprise that has evolved into the largest GAO

American TCOs to export multi-ton quantities

in Colombia with a cohesive national presence.

of cocaine from Colombia every year. Large-

The Gulf Clan relies on drug trafficking activities

scale Colombian TCOs sell multi-ton quantities

and a military-style framework to maintain

of cocaine and smaller quantities of heroin to

operability. Since emerging in the mid-2000s,

Mexican TCOs, who smuggle those drugs through

the Gulf Clan has expanded throughout

the Central American corridor and Mexico for

northern Colombia and other regions mainly by

eventual smuggling into the United States.

capitalizing on the demise of rival GAOs. Though

Colombian TCOs also route cocaine and heroin

it maintains a national reach, the Gulf Clan

shipments through the Caribbean Corridor where

power base lies in its birthplace region of Urabá

local TCOs receive and transport them into the

in northwest Colombia. From this strategic

United States.

location, the Gulf Clan sends multi-ton quantities

Some smaller Colombian TCOs maintain direct

of cocaine via maritime conveyances to nearby

pipelines into the United States, primarily to

Panama and other countries in Central America

Northeast and East Coast drug markets, using

on a regular basis.

couriers on commercial flights and air cargo to

move smaller wholesale amounts of cocaine

Collaboration with Mexican

and heroin. Colombian TCO members also

TCOs

maintain a physical presence in the

While Colombian TCOs control the production

United States to assist in laundering drug

and shipment of the majority of cocaine

proceeds. Although illicit Colombian cocaine

destined for consumption in the United States,

smuggling has decentralized and fragmented,

Mexican TCOs are responsible for smuggling

particularly in the past few years, Colombian

it into and its distribution throughout the

TCOs will remain dominant in the international

United States. Mexican TCOs work directly

cocaine trade for the foreseeable future.

with Colombian sources of supply, often

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

sending Mexican representatives to Colombia,

northeastern drug markets. Colombian TCOs

Ecuador, and Venezuela to coordinate cocaine

previously dominated cocaine and heroin

shipments. Similarly, Colombian TCOs maintain

wholesale markets in the Midwest and East

representatives in Mexico to serve as brokers

Coast; however, Mexican TCOs now dominate

for cocaine orders or illicit money movements.

most of these markets, increasingly serving as

Central American TCOs work with both Mexican

the primary source of supply to other TCOs in

and Colombian TCOs for the northbound

these regions.

movement of cocaine and the southbound flow

Smaller U.S.-based Colombian TCOs handle illicit

of illicit drug proceeds.

money movements on behalf of larger Colombian

TCOs, Mexican TCOs, or other criminal groups.

Colombian TCOs

Law enforcement reporting indicates Cali,

Transportation

Colombia-based money launderers coordinate

Colombian TCOs export large cocaine shipments

the receipt of drug proceeds in various U.S. cities

through Mexico, the Central American Corridor,

including Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami,

and the Caribbean Corridor, using a variety

and New York. Once received, these funds are

of maritime and aerial means including

often placed in U.S.-based bank accounts and

speedboats (go-fast vessels), fishing vessels,

wire transferred externally under the guise of

self-propelled semi-submersibles, private

payment for products and services.

aircraft, and commercial air and sea cargo.

Less commonly, Colombian TCOs transport

Money Laundering Activities

cocaine over land across the Darien Gap, which

DEA reporting indicates that Colombian TCOs

connects northwest Colombia to Panama, using

generate and receive as much as $10 billion

backpackers.

USC annually through the sale of drugs in the

Colombian TCOs continue to use Ecuador

United States, Central America, and Mexico.

and Venezuela as transshipment points

The principal mechanisms by which Colombian

for cocaine shipments bound for Mexico,

TCOs launder their drug proceeds are the Black

Central America, and the Caribbean. Due to

Market Peso Exchange (BMPE) and trade-based

successful counterdrug efforts by the Colombian

money laundering (TBML). Colombian TCOs rely

Government, Colombian TCOs have shifted a

on international networks of money launderers

sizable portion of their drug trafficking activities

who profit from foreign exchange transactions

to neighboring countries. Colombian TCOs

and trade-based activity. Although not as

transport and store large quantities of cocaine

prominent as with the Mexican TCOs, there has

in remote areas of Venezuela and Ecuador

been an increase in the presence of Asian MLOs

until maritime or aerial transportation can be

in areas where Colombian TCOs operate. There

secured.

has also been evidence of the utilization of

cryptocurrencies by Colombian TCOs in order to

Small-scale Colombian TCOs

transfer their proceeds internationally.

Smaller Colombian TCOs directly supply smaller

wholesale quantities of cocaine and heroin

to the United States, primarily to eastern and

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Dominican Transnational Criminal Organizations

Overview

Areas of Influence

Concentrated in Northeast

Dominican TCOs dominate the distribution

of cocaine and white powder heroin in the

Dominican TCOs maintain their strongest

Northeastern corridor of the United States.

influence in areas of the Northeast with a

These TCOs are supplied by Mexican and

significant Dominican population, generally

Colombians TCOs, and dominate wholesale

in cities located along the I-95 highway

distribution of heroin and fentanyl in certain

corridor. Dominican traffickers conceal their

areas of the Northeast. They also engage in

drug trafficking activities behind the cover of

street-level sales in the Northeast. Illegal drugs

established ethnic Dominican communities in

destined for Dominican TCOs in the Northeast

various parts of the Northeast, where New York

initially arrive in New York City, where the

City serves as the main hub for Dominican TCO

drugs are distributed throughout the greater

activity in the Northeast.

metropolitan area, or routed to secondary hubs

and retail markets across the Northeast and

Trafficking Connections

parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. Dominican

Dominican TCOs have expanded their

TCOs work in collaboration with foreign suppliers

capabilities to have command and control

to have cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl shipped

originating in source zone countries and

directly to the Northeast from Mexico, Colombia,

orchestrate the transportation of multi-ton

and the Dominican Republic.

quantities of drugs through the Caribbean

with final destination of Northeastern cities in

Organizational Structure

the United States and in Europe. Dominican

Dominican TCOs typically operate as an

TCOs also obtain multi-kilogram quantities

unstructured network of independent groups

of cocaine and heroin from wholesalers,

without a centralized hierarchy. Each Dominican

which they subsequently break down for local

TCO independently maintains its own internal

street sales. In many cases, the customers

organized structure with an identified leader

supplied by Dominican TCOs are street gangs

and subordinates in designated roles, ensuring

with distribution amounts ranging from a few

compartmentalization of their criminal activities.

kilograms to multi-gram quantities in pre-bagged

Dominican TCOs are typically comprised of

form, ready for street-level sales.

friends and family members of Dominican

nationality or U.S. citizens of Dominican descent.

Drug Trafficking Activities

By relying on these networks of family members,

The vast majority of cocaine distributed by

friends, and hometown acquaintances,

Dominican traffickers in the Northeast is of

Dominican TCOs are often able to remain

Colombian origin, while the vast majority of white

insulated from outside threats. Dominican TCOs

powder heroin varies in origin between Mexico

are willing to collaborate with different ethnic

and Colombia. Dominican TCOs specialize in the

criminal groups in the United States, such as

distribution of cocaine and heroin. They are also

Puerto Rican, Colombian, and Mexican TCOs.

heavily involved in the distribution of fentanyl

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

and CPDs, due to the current demand for opioids

TCOs, particularly in the Northeast, have the

in the United States. To a lesser extent, they

infrastructure to handle all facets of drug

engage in regional supply of other illegal drugs

distribution to include the wholesale, mid-level,

to include marijuana, methamphetamine, and

and retail sectors. By diluting cocaine and

NPSs.

heroin for street sales, Dominican traffickers in

the Northeast can expand their inventory and

Dominican traffickers take advantage of Puerto

profit.

Rico’s status as a U.S. territory to facilitate

commercial air transport of cocaine into the

United States, mainly into the Northeast and

south Florida. Dominican TCOs typically use

small maritime vessels to transport cocaine

and heroin from the Dominican Republic into

Puerto Rico via the 80 mile stretch of sea known

as the Mona Passage, and subsequently these

traffickers utilize mail, commercial shipping

services, and maritime vessels to transport

illegal drugs to the United States. Furthermore,

Dominican TCOs exploit the vulnerabilities

of maritime commercial cargo containers

to transport multi-ton kilograms of cocaine

from the Dominican Republic to U.S. ports

in Florida, Georgia, Philadelphia, and New

York. Additionally, Dominican traffickers utilize

private maritime vessels to transport cocaine

directly from the Dominican Republic to south

Florida. Dominican traffickers utilize Chinese

money laundering organizations to facilitate the

laundering of Dominican TCO drug trafficking

proceeds.

Role in Retail Drug Market

The higher echelon of Dominican TCOs serve

as the command, control, and supplier for

organizations at the street level in certain

regions of the U.S. East Coast. Dominican

TCOs based in New York City, New York;

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Lawrence,

Massachusetts, mainly source Dominican drug

dealers involved in retail distribution. Dominican

UNCLASSIFIED

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Asian Transnational Criminal Organizations

state-level marijuana legalization actions, some

Overview

Asian TCOs overtly operate marijuana grows by

Asian TCOs specialize in the trafficking

adhering to local regulations governing private

of marijuana and 4-methylenedioxy-

cultivation and medical marijuana allowances.

methamphetamine (MDMA), and, to a lesser

Additionally, some produce large amounts of

extent, cocaine and methamphetamine. They

marijuana in wholly illegal residential grow

are also heavily involved in international money

operations by hiding in plain sight. As a result,

laundering activities, working with Colombian

significant amounts of marijuana produced in

and Mexican TCOs. Asian TCOs actively conduct

these grow operations are diverted to states

drug trafficking activities on both U.S. coasts and

where marijuana is much more profitable on the

have distribution networks stretching across the

black market.

country. U.S.-based Asian TCOs work in concert

with Asian TCOs in Canada, Asia, and other

MDMA Trafficking Trends

international locations to import and export illicit

Asian TCOs generally control the supply of MDMA

drugs to and from the United States.

in most U.S. markets. U.S.-based Asian TCOs

work closely with Canada-based Asian TCOs

Organizational Structure

to import MDMA. MDMA, in both tablet and

Asian TCOs are mostly small, independent

powder form, is typically either imported from

groups. Some operate with investment from

China to Canada or manufactured in clandestine

Asia-based crime bosses in Hong Kong, Macau,

laboratories in Canada, then smuggled across

and Taiwan. Asian TCOs use their contacts in

the Northern Border into the United States.

Asian diaspora communities in the United States

MDMA is also shipped to the United States from

and around the world to co-opt or establish

Asian TCOs based in Europe.

businesses to facilitate drug trafficking and

money laundering. Businesses concentrated

General Trafficking Trends

in California and New York facilitate the

Asian TCOs also traffic cocaine and

transshipment and importation of drug loads

methamphetamine. The United States is used

orchestrated by Asian TCOs. Asian TCOs also

as a transit country for some loads of cocaine

recruit diaspora community members to act as

and methamphetamine trafficked to Asia and

couriers for money and drugs.

Oceania by Asian TCOs. Asian TCOs reach

out to cocaine and methamphetamine

Marijuana Trafficking Trends

sources of supply in Mexico and the

Asian TCOs have historically operated large,

United States. Los Angeles-based import/export

sophisticated indoor marijuana grow houses

companies established or co-opted by Asian

in residential homes, primarily in the western

TCO members are used to send cocaine and

United States. These indoor grows are both

methamphetamine to Asia, Australia, and New

traditional and hydroponic and are frequently

Zealand.

located in suburban neighborhoods. With

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

United States, Asian MLOs operating on behalf

Role in Money Laundering

of drug traffickers have been identified in

Asian TCOs in the United States play a key role

Mexico, as well as in Central and South America.

in the laundering of illicit drug proceeds. Asian

Moreover, beyond mainland China, Asian MLOs

TCOs involved in money laundering contract their

also operate in Hong Kong, Australia, New

services and sometimes work jointly with other

Zealand, and other Far East and Southeast Asian

criminal groups, such as Mexican, Colombian,

countries.

and Dominican TCOs. Money laundering tactics

employed by Asian TCOs generally involve the

transfer of funds between China and Hong

Kong, using front companies to facilitate

international money movement. Asian TCOs

also use underground banking and mirroring

schemes. U.S.-based Asian TCOs rely on

domestic cash-intensive businesses to facilitate

money-laundering activities. Law enforcement

reporting indicates an increase in Chinese

money laundering groups and Mexican TCOs

collaborating to move/launder money.

Asian Money Laundering

Organizations

Asian money laundering organizations are

working in conjunction with Hispanic DTOs with

increasing frequency. In some cases, there

appear to be agreements between Mexico-based

TCO leaders and Asian MLO heads based in

Mexico. Asian MLOs provide access to long-

standing laundering networks for U.S.-based

Mexican TCO members. Various DEA offices

have observed Mexican DTOs increasingly

utilizing domestic Asian MLOs to facilitate drug

money movement across a variety of methods,

including TBML, the Chinese Underground

Banking System virtual currencies, and even

bulk currency storage and shipment.

Within the United States, the laundering

networks operate in and around most major

metropolitan areas. Outside of the

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

and conveyance methods involving multiple

Outlook

criminal organizations across several nations.

Barring significant, unanticipated changes

Mexican and Colombian TCOs operating in the

to the illicit drug market, Mexican TCOs will

Northeast will likely maintain their working

continue to dominate the wholesale importation

relationships with Dominican traffickers for

and distribution of cocaine, heroin, marijuana,

the retail-level distribution of illicit drugs. As

methamphetamine, and fentanyl in U.S. markets.

the Dominican Republic remains a significant

No other criminal organizations currently

drug transshipment node in the Caribbean, it

possess a logistical infrastructure to rival that

will continue to offer criminal opportunities for

of Mexican TCOs. Mexican TCOs will continue to

Dominican TCOs operating along the East Coast.

grow in the United States through expansion of

distribution networks and continued interaction

Asian TCOs will remain a drug trafficking threat

with local criminal groups and gangs. This

of concern in the United States, particularly in

relationship will insulate Mexican TCOs from

established marijuana and MDMA markets.

direct ties to street-level drug and money

They will likely continue to expand their

seizures and drug-related arrests made by U.S.

relationships with Mexican and Colombian TCOs

law enforcement.

to further their drug and money laundering

operations in the United States and abroad.

Due to sustained high cocaine production and

corresponding profits in Colombia, Colombian

TCOs are expected to maintain dominance over

the production and supply of the majority of

cocaine destined for U.S. markets. Colombian

TCOs are expected to continue to collaborate

with Mexican TCOs who purchase their products,

primarily cocaine, while Mexican TCOs will

remain the dominant cocaine wholesale supplier

in the United States. Further, Colombian

TCOs will most likely continue to maintain

representatives in Mexico, Central America, the

Caribbean, and the United States to broker and

facilitate the exportation of cocaine and heroin

to U.S. markets, and the subsequent repatriation

of drug proceeds.

Dominican TCOs are positioned to maintain

their leading role in the mid-level distribution

of illegal drugs, particularly in the Northeast.

These TCOs ensure their sustainability

through self-sufficiency and accessibility to

diverse drug supply lines, smuggling routes,

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

DRUG THREAT IN U.S. TERRITORIES

& IN INDIAN COUNTRY

With approximate populations of 3.2 million

Overview

and 106,000 in 2020, respectively, Puerto

Puerto Rico, the USVI, and Guam are

Rico and the USVI are part of an island chain

unincorporated, organized territories of the

located along the eastern edge of the Caribbean

United States with economies that are largely

Sea, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. Both

dependent on tourism, commercial shipment

are unincorporated, organized territories of

services, or national defense spending.

the United States, whose economies depend

Travelers from some of these U.S. island

largely on tourism. Both U.S. territories have

territories are not subject to routine customs

high unemployment rates (8.8 percent in Puerto

checks upon entering the continental

Rico and 12.1 percent in the USVI), according

United States, making them attractive to illicit

to 2020 estimates, and opportune geographic

drug traffickers and money launderers.

locations—midway between the United States

High rates of unemployment and poverty

and South America. In addition, both Puerto

contribute to Native American communities’

Rico and the USVI are attractive transshipment

issues with substance abuse and exploitation

points, as cargo shipments between these U.S.

by drug traffickers and TCOs. TCOs often

territories and the continental United States

smuggle drugs through reservations along U.S.

are considered domestic and not subject to

borders, and Native American criminal groups

inspection.

obtain drugs from traffickers moving through

reservations or from TCO associates in nearby

Drug Threat

major cities.

Cocaine is the principal drug threat in the

Caribbean region, with Puerto Rico and the

Puerto Rico and the U.S.

USVI serving as major transshipment points

Virgin Islands

between cocaine-producing countries in South

The DEA Caribbean Field Division is responsible

America and the continental United States.

for supporting drug enforcement operations

Cocaine is primarily transported to the islands

in the Caribbean area, including domestic and

via maritime vessels from Colombia, Venezuela,

foreign locations. The geographical area of

and the Dominican Republic. Traffickers almost

responsibility of the DEA Caribbean Field Division

exclusively use go-fast boats or fishing vessels

extends from The Bahamas, down to Jamaica

to transport cocaine to Puerto Rico, either

in the Greater Antilles, eastward along the

departing directly from Venezuela or transiting

islands of the Lesser Antilles, to Guyana in the

the Mona Passage from the Dominican Republic.

northeastern tip of South America.

Due to Dominican law enforcement successes

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

and U.S. Coast Guard interdiction efforts,

enforcement reporting from Puerto Rico, USVI,

traffickers prefer to traffic large cocaine loads

and other Caribbean island nations, seizures and

directly to Puerto Rico.

seizure-load sizes of marijuana have continued

to increase over the past several years.

Traffickers also smuggle cocaine via the British

Virgin Islands by island hopping to the USVI

Transshipment

and eastern Puerto Rico, and then on to the

DEA’s Caribbean Field Division reports an

continental United States. Law enforcement

increase in cocaine seizures from inbound

officials report that smaller boats depart the

maritime cocaine smuggling ventures into Puerto

USVI and meet larger “mother ships” from

Rico arriving from Colombia and Venezuela.

Venezuela. These ships offload cocaine to

According to a U.S. Government database

smaller fishing vessels, which then transit to the

of known and suspected drug seizure and

Netherlands Antilles, St. Martin/Maarten, the

movement events, roughly eight percent of

British Virgin Islands, and/or Puerto Rico.

documented cocaine departing South America

The smuggling and abuse of heroin and fentanyl

moved toward the Caribbean Islands in 2019,

are also major concerns in the Caribbean region.

mostly aboard go-fast vessels. According to DEA

Heroin availability in Puerto Rico is moderate;

reporting, TCOs operating in South America and

it is used locally and also transported to the

the Caribbean coordinate multi-ton maritime

continental United States. Heroin is available

smuggling ventures originating in Colombia

in almost all drug points throughout Puerto

or Venezuela and transiting Puerto Rico, the

Rico and widely consumed. In the USVI, heroin

Dominican Republic, and neighboring Eastern

does not pose a major threat, as the demand is

Caribbean islands for destinations in the

typically for resale. However, there was a slight

continental United States, Europe, and Africa.

increase in heroin use in 2019 on St. Croix,

It is estimated that a third of the cocaine and

USVI and one seizure of heroin which contained

heroin trafficked into Puerto Rico and the USVI

fentanyl. The heroin trafficked to Puerto Rico

remains for local consumption, but most is

and the USVI is of South American origin, which

smuggled onwards to the continental

typically arrives commingled with cocaine on

United States. Traffickers conceal cocaine in

maritime shipments. DEA’s Caribbean Field

parcels mailed from Puerto Rico and the USVI

Division has also reported minimal heroin-laced

to Florida and the northeastern United States,

fentanyl seizures sent via parcel services from

primarily Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York,

California to Puerto Rico.

and New Jersey. Additionally, traffickers utilize

Fentanyl availability in Puerto Rico is low.

commercial airlines in Puerto Rico to smuggle

However, fentanyl related deaths in Puerto Rico

cocaine concealed within passenger luggage or

have increased from 10 deaths in 2015 to 70

body cavities to continental U.S. destinations

reported fentanyl-involved overdose deaths in

including Connecticut, Florida, Pennsylvania,

2018.

New York, and Massachusetts.

Marijuana is the most consumed illicit drug

in Puerto Rico and the USVI. According to law

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

along the East Coast and finally to Puerto Rico in

Drug-related Crime

order to evade law enforcement scrutiny. DTOs

Drug-related violence continues to pose a threat

based in the Dominican Republic also smuggle

to public safety in Puerto Rico and the USVI.

heroin directly into Puerto Rico by using human

Puerto Rico and the USVI have the highest

couriers on the ferry that operates between the

homicide rates in the United States. According

Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

to the UNODC, the USVI averaged approximately

52 murders per 100,000 people in 2018.

The diversion of CPDs for distribution and

healthcare fraud are serious threats in Puerto

Local law enforcement agencies in Puerto Rico

Rico. Puerto Rico did not have a Prescription

estimate that over 60 percent of homicides

Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) until August

are drug-related; however, violent crime and

2017; however, it was not until September 2018

homicide rates have declined every year since

that the PDMP in Puerto Rico was

peaking in 2011. The majority of DTOs operating

able to interconnect with PDMPs in the

in Puerto Rico are based in the public housing

United States. DEA diversion investigations

projects located throughout the island, with

reveal that the majority of controlled substances

controlled “drug point” locations used for

abused and diverted are obtained through

the retail sale of illicit drugs. The DTOs use

fraudulent prescriptions, doctor shopping,

intimidation, violence, and murder to gain or

pharmacy thefts, and illegal online prescription

retain control of the drug markets in the area.

services.

Drug Trafficking Groups

Guam

Colombian, Dominican, Venezuelan, and Puerto

Guam is an organized and unincorporated

Rican DTOs are involved with the illicit drug trade

territory of the United States, located in the

in Puerto Rico and the USVI. While Dominican,

North Pacific Ocean; it is the largest and

Colombian, and Venezuelan traffickers

southernmost island in the Mariana Islands

serve as crewmembers during maritime

archipelago and is an important military and

operations, the majority of the boat captains

commercial hub between the United States,

are Dominican. Dominican DTOs are becoming

Asia, and Australia. In 2020, Guam’s population

more sophisticated and dominant in the drug

was an estimated 168,000 people. The

trade throughout the region, including brokering

island’s economy depends largely on tourism

drug deals and coordinating maritime ventures.

and U.S. national defense spending, followed

Dominican and Puerto Rican DTOs dominate

by construction and transshipment services.

wholesale and retail distribution of cocaine in

According to the Guam Visitors Bureau, the

Puerto Rico.

island had its best year, with over 1.63 million

Puerto Rico-based DTOs have established heroin

visitors during FY 2019. Many of Guam’s violent

trafficking routes from Venezuela to Puerto Rico.

crimes are linked to drugs, alcohol abuse, lack of

In some cases, traffickers instruct couriers to

economic opportunities, and lack of educational

take an indirect route to deliver heroin from

attainment.

Caracas, Venezuela, to various major U.S. cities

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

Drug proceeds are often mailed back to the

Drug Threat and Availability

United States or sent electronically through

Methamphetamine and marijuana are the

established bank accounts. Similarly, proceeds

two principal drugs used in Guam. Cocaine

are sent via wire transfer to South Korea, China,

is resurgent and is popular with the college-

and other Asian countries. Generally, the

aged population. MDMA, ketamine, and illicit

proceeds are reinvested to purchase additional

pharmaceuticals are also available to a lesser

drug supplies and are used to purchase vehicles

degree and often purchased in clubs and bars.

or personal goods.

Methamphetamine poses the greatest threat

to Guam. Most of the methamphetamine

Indian Country

shipped to Guam originates from the continental

The drug threat in Indian Country varies by

United States, primarily from California and

region and is influenced by the illicit drugs

Washington, via postal packages or courier.

available in major cities near the reservations.

Guamanians residing in the continental U.S.

Native American criminal groups and

often mail methamphetamine to criminal

independent dealers transport most of the

associates in Guam, who sell the drug for very

illicit drugs available throughout Indian Country.

large profit margins. During 2019, the DEA’s

These individuals and organizations travel to

Guam RO seized approximately 30 kilograms of

nearby cities to purchase drugs, primarily from

methamphetamine, a significant increase from

Mexican traffickers and other criminal groups. In

the 12 kilograms seized in 2018.

some instances, distributors residing on remote

reservations travel long distances to obtain

During 2019, DEA’s Guam RO seized

drugs for distribution in their home communities.

approximately 29 kilograms of cocaine, a

decrease compared to 45 kilograms seized in

The number of drug cases and arrests

2018.

conducted by Indian Country law enforcement

programs has increased substantially since

Low-quality marijuana is cultivated in Guam, with

2013. In FY 2019, there was a nearly 26

grow sites typically located within heavy jungle

percent increase from FY 2018 to FY 2019 in the

growth in close proximity to residential dwellings.

number of drug cases opened across all Indian

Marijuana is also shipped to Guam in lesser

Country law enforcement programs according

amounts via postal packages or transported

to data from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (See

via commercial air flights from the continental

Figure 60).

United States.

Native American communities face challenges

Drug Trafficking Groups

and risks rooted in poverty, high levels of

DTOs in Guam are typically comprised of Korean,

unemployment, chronic trauma, and a lack

Filipino, and Chinese traffickers who smuggle

of resources. These factors contribute to

methamphetamine to the island via couriers.

Native American communities’ susceptibility

Mexican organizations may supply some of the

to substance abuse and exploitation by

methamphetamine reaching Guam indirectly via

drug traffickers. While marijuana and

the continental United States.

methamphetamine are the most widely used

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 60. Drug Cases Opened in Indian Country, 2013 - 2019

Source: Bureau of Indian Affairs

illicit substances, prescription drug and heroin

desert bordering Mexico and the highways that

use have increased. Additionally, powder

connect the reservation to major metropolitan

and crack cocaine, fentanyl, fentanyl-laced

areas.

counterfeit pills, and MDMA are also available

TCOs also smuggle large amounts of illicit drugs

at various levels. Mexican traffickers are the

into the United States through reservations that

principal wholesale suppliers and producers

border Canada, especially the St. Regis Mohawk

of most illicit drugs available on reservations

Reservation in New York, commonly referred

throughout Indian Country.

to as the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne. TCOs

Drug production in Indian Country is limited.

smuggle marijuana and thousands of MDMA

Mexican traffickers play a prominent role in

tablets into the United States and multi-kilogram

producing cannabis at outdoor grow sites in

quantities of cocaine into Canada through the

remote locations on reservations, particularly

reservation.

in the Pacific Region. Illicit drug transportation

The widespread availability and abuse of drugs

routes run through the reservations that border

in Indian Country, coupled with drug trafficking

Mexico or Canada, ensuring nearby reservations

groups operating in Indian Country, contribute

have reliable access to drugs.

to high rates of crime on reservations. Due to

TCOs continue to smuggle multiple tons of

the wide range of violent and property crimes

marijuana through the Tohono O’odham Nation

in which traffickers engage, the crime rates

in southeastern Arizona. This reservation

on some reservations can be higher than the

accounts for almost four percent of the SWB.

national averages for similar crimes. DTOs

TCOs also smuggle lesser amounts of cocaine

engage in these crimes to facilitate their

and heroin, with methamphetamine on the rise,

operations, while users generally engage in such

through this reservation. Drug traffickers exploit

crimes to support their drug use.

the vast stretches of remote, sparsely populated

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

ILLICIT FINANCE

a payment method to purchase illegal drugs

Overview

online, it is now becoming more commonly

DTOs and TCOs continue to generate tens of

utilized by international money launderers to

billions of dollars in illicit proceeds through the

transfer proceeds across borders on behalf of

sale of drugs every year in the United States.

TCOs.

Illicit drug proceeds change hands numerous

times between the smuggling, wholesale, or

Effects of COVID-19

retail levels of the illegal drug market. The

The COVID-19 pandemic directly led to

onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused

traffickers facing hurdles maintaining the flow

significant shifts in the money laundering

of drugs and money around the world. Border

landscape. Border restrictions between the

restrictions between the United States and

United States and Mexico, as well as concerns

Mexico, brought on due to the pandemic, have

regarding exposure to the virus have made it

increased the difficulty of transporting loads of

more difficult for TCOs to transport loads of bulk

bulk currency from the United States across the

currency across the SWB. Trade-Based Money

SWB into Mexico. As a result, large amounts

Laundering (TBML) activity has been disrupted

of U.S. currency are being held along the U.S.

due to shipping delays around the world.

side, awaiting transport to Mexico. With this

These shipping delays also disrupt dark web

stockpile forming, TCOs have begun increasing

marketplace vendors who are already vulnerable

the frequency and volume of bulk currency

to fluctuations of virtual currencies held in

shipments across the SWB in an attempt to

escrow while drugs are traveling in the mail.

continue the repatriation of their drug proceeds.

TCOs employ various strategies to move and

However, reporting indicates fewer money

launder drug proceeds into, within, and out of

pickups being conducted by couriers for fear

the United States to avoid detection from law

of exposure to COVID-19 and increased law

enforcement and financial institutions. The

enforcement presence.

preferred methods to move and launder illicit

• DEA’s New Jersey Field Division reported in May

proceeds have largely remained the same

2020, that money couriers were less likely to meet

throughout the years, e.g. bulk cash smuggling,

with individuals looking to move money from certain

Black Market Peso Exchange, and TBML;

heavily infected population centers due to concerns of

however, significant shifts have occurred in the

contracting COVID-19.

illicit finance landscape over the years, further

The shipping trade was affected in many parts

complicating the enforcement of anti-money

of the world due to the pandemic that caused

laundering (AML) laws. Although for a number

disruptions to TBML activity in the

of years virtual currency has been utilized as

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

United States and other countries. Many

Bulk Cash Smuggling

companies involved in TBML are considered

TCOs continue to repatriate a significant

non-essential, and are either not permitted to

volume of illicit proceeds every year via bulk

operate during the pandemic, or are subject

cash smuggling, despite the existence of more

to increased restrictions. As such, the ability

modern methods of transferring money. In

for TCOs to move money under the guise of

2019, there were over 3,000 bulk currency

legitimate trade transactions has diminished.

seizures in the United States according to EPIC’s

Dark web marketplaces trading in illicit

NSS data. This represents more than $368

drugs have experienced disruptions due to

million USC seized, a 62 percent increase in

the COVID-19 pandemic, due in part to drug

volume from the almost $227 million USC seized

shortages and shipping delays which exacerbate

in 2018. Between 2010 and 2018, the volume

the risk of selling drugs for highly volatile virtual

of bulk currency seized has steadily dropped,

currencies. In March 2020, the value of Bitcoin

with 2019’s increase being an outlier to this

rapidly dropped, which caused a withdrawal of

trend. The number of seizure events in 2019

many dark web vendors from the market for fear

(3,454) was a 39 percent increase from the

of loss of funds due to the possibility of Bitcoin

previous year (2,487) (See Figure 61).^z

devaluation while in escrow. Delays of drug

Drug traffickers commonly transport bulk

shipments means that funds may be held in

currency from various places in the United States

escrow for longer periods, which gives more time

over the SWB into Mexico and other Central and

for their value to decrease before the drug dealer

South American countries via privately owned

is able to convert the funds into fiat currency.

vehicles and tractor-trailers. However, transport

• DEA’s Denver Field Division reported shortages of a

of bulk currency by passengers on commercial

variety of illicit drugs available on the dark web, as

airlines also accounts for a significant amount

well as shipping delays due to COVID-19 restrictions.

of drug proceeds traveling within, and exiting the

Many dark web marketplace sellers were taking extra

precautions to sanitize their products and packaging

United States.

prior to transport, possibly adding to the shipping

delays.

Figure 61. Bulk Currency Smuggling Seizure Totals, 2012 - 2019

Source: El Paso Intelligence Center

z. This recorded increase in both seizure events as well as seizure volume is due in part to changes in NSS bulk currency reporting methodologies. As

such, analytical statements regarding the reasons for this increase cannot be made at this time.

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

Figure 62. Top 3 States for Bulk Currency Seizure Amounts, 2012 - 2019

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

New York

California

1^st State

$212,038,936

$154,015,473

$126,891,301

$107,255,478

$57,175,335

$40,762,011

$44,176,916

$54,556,726

California

New York

Texas

Florida

Ohio

2^nd State

$130,694,737

$111,315,107

$49,138,747

$45,448,232

$46,060,991

$22,514,717

$22,660,487

$52,861,197

Texas

Georgia

Florida

Texas

Arizona

Illinois

Texas

3^rd State

$67,202,140

$45,582,571

$36,982,739

$43,527,424

$36,110,202

$13,745,181

$15,158,676

$23,621,917

Total

$702,578,606

$613,829,575

$547,068,839

$550,804,449

$441,178,858

$226,710,289

$227,548,134

$368,042,994

Incidents

3,395

3,343

4,448

4,685

3,437

2,431

2,487

3,454

Source: El Paso Intelligence Center

• In May 2020, DEA’s Washington Field Division

banks, and real estate. Layering is the process

conducted an enforcement operation against a DTO

of moving money to disguise its origin. This can

that was working with a Chinese MLO to structure

take various forms such as wire transfers and

deposits of USC into the banking system. A traffic

TBML, with this step in the money laundering

stop on a member of the DTO who had been seen

conducting money pick-ups using a tractor-trailer

process often involving money moving through

yielded the seizure of $1.5 million USC hidden in bags

multiple countries, further obfuscating the

inside the tractor-trailer.

origin of the funds. The final step in the cycle

• In June 2020, the Los Angeles HIDTA performed a K-9

is integration, in which the illicit funds now

check on 15 pieces of luggage being transported on a

appear to be clean, and are able to re-enter the

privately chartered flight. Law enforcement seized an

economy without drawing attention to the illegal

excess of $3 million USC contained between the 15

activity that produced the money.

pieces.

In 2019, California, Ohio, and Texas reported

Traditional Methods

the highest dollar amounts in bulk cash seizures

TCOs and DTOs widely utilize traditional money

for a combined total of $131,039,840 USC

laundering methods, often combining well-

(See Figure 62). These states accounted for 36

tested methods with newer ones to decrease

percent of all the bulk cash seized in 2019. In

their likelihood of discovery by law enforcement.

the first six months of 2020, California, New

Casinos, with their high volume of currency

York, and Texas accounted for 39 percent of the

transactions, remain a popular way for

bulk cash seized.

launderers to obfuscate their drug proceeds.

Money launderers commonly utilize businesses

Money Laundering Methods

trading high value commodities such as real

Money laundering is generally comprised of a

estate, vehicles, and jewelry to make their illicit

cycle, which includes placement, layering, and

funds appear legitimate by investing the value

integration—with launderers developing multiple

of their funds into these items. This, combined

methods to complete each step. Placement

with avoiding reporting requirements, allows the

involves illicit funds entering into the financial

value of the illicit funds to be moved from person

system through various businesses—such as

to person under the guise of legitimate business

money service businesses—as well as casinos,

transactions.

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

The use of shell and front companies remains an

TCOs continue to highly favor TBML as a method

extremely common method for DTOs to disguise

to transport and launder illicit proceeds through

the origin of their illicit funds. The Financial

the manipulation of international trade and

Action Task Force, an intergovernmental

financial institutions. Illicit funds are used to

organization designed to combat money

purchase real or fictitious trade goods, which are

laundering, reports that more than two million

then shipped to another country where they are

limited liability companies and corporations are

then sold. This allows the value derived from

established in the United States each year. Shell

the original illicit activity to move in and out of

companies are businesses that exist only as an

the United States under the guise of legitimate

entity through which money may be transferred

trade transactions. Free Trade Zones are often

to hide beneficial ownership, as well as to

involved in TBML schemes because they offer

provide plausible deniability for the origin of drug

opportunities for cash to be inserted into the

proceeds. Front companies operate as a mostly

financial system in exchange for consumer

normal business; however, DTOs commingle

goods.

their drug proceeds with the legitimate revenue

In 2017, the Government of China implemented

stream from the front company. Due to U.S. laws

economic policies that placed a $50,000 USC

easily allowing the establishment of businesses

limit on the amount of foreign currency per

and the minimal amount of information required

person that can be exchanged annually. Due

to start a company, shell and front companies

to China’s economic policy and the restrictions

are frequently utilized in the money laundering

Mexico has placed on depositing USC, Asian

process.

MLOs have emerged within the last few years as

leaders within the money laundering networks.

Modern Methods

These groups have quickly grown to dominate

The complexity of money laundering systems

the money laundering landscape due to a

has greatly increased in modern times, as

combination of charging lower fees and the

criminal organizations continue to find ways

efficiency of the services they provide. These

to combine methods to further hide their illicit

MLOs perform services at all stages of the

proceeds. One example of this is the use of

money laundering cycle; however, Asian

third party money brokers to move and handle

MLOs are especially prominent in the areas

money. Drug traffickers seeking to repatriate

of bulk currency movement and TBML. Asian

funds outside of the United States will utilize

MLOs seek to profit from illicit activities

networks of money brokers to move money

associated with Mexican and Colombian TCOs

through various accounts and businesses. The

as well as from the resale of U.S. dollars in the

money movement that these brokers perform is

United States to Chinese nationals seeking to

often intertwined with other money laundering

evade China’s currency control laws. Chinese

systems such as BMPE and TBML activity. Due

nationals utilize an informal black market that

to the third party nature of these brokers, they

allows them to move their money out of China

are often insulated from legal ramifications of

by trading Chinese-based assets for currency

money laundering, as it can be difficult to prove

or other assets located abroad, such as drug

that they had knowledge of the illicit nature of

proceeds. The services provided by Asian

the funds they assisted in moving.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION

MLOs increasingly have been utilized by TCOs

designed to accept fiat currency in exchange

to simplify the acquisition and payment for

for virtual currency, and are subject to federal

precursor chemical shipments.

AML regulations. Despite these regulations,

unscrupulous owners of these machines utilize

Virtual Currency

their functions to assist in obfuscating drug

proceeds. Money couriers deposit large volumes

Technological innovations in the financial sphere

of cash into these machines to convert the value

have led to an environment where purchasing

to virtual currency; the cash in the machine is

goods and transferring money is easier and

then integrated into the revenue stream of the

more seamless than ever. Newer technologies,

owner of the ATM to hide the origin of the funds.

such virtual currency, create new opportunities

The value of the original drug proceeds, now in a

for commerce to expand, as well as for criminals

virtual form, can easily be transferred to another

to more readily launder illicit proceeds. Virtual

user of the virtual currency instantaneously,

currencies like Bitcoin have been increasing

removing much of the risk associated with

in popularity, both among the public as well as

transporting large amounts of bulk currency.

among criminals, in the years since inception

Virtual currency ATMs used in such a manner

due in part to the ability of virtual currencies

may be unlisted, and unavailable for use by the

to change hands rapidly without limits on the

general public; instead kept hidden away for

amount being transferred.

exclusive use by money launderers and couriers.

There are over 2,000 distinct virtual currencies

Drug traffickers and money launderers are

in circulation, with more being developed every

increasingly incorporating virtual currency into

year; however, Bitcoin continues to be the most

TBML activity as the use of these currencies

widely used due to its status as one of the

becomes more widely adopted. DEA reporting

original virtual currencies. Bitcoin is sometimes

has revealed instances in which bulk currency

a stand-in term, for virtual currency as a whole.

contracts were fulfilled through the use of

In recent years, virtual currency exchangers have

virtual currency instead of cash, with this money

emerged as a service to ease the conversion of

subsequently being integrated into the TBML

fiat currency into virtual currency and vice versa.

cycle. These combinations of virtual currency

Virtual currencies continue to be popular for use

with already established forms of money

on dark web marketplaces as a method for users

laundering suggest an increased willingness by

to anonymously purchase illicit drugs without

illicit actors to utilize this complex technology to

having to use traditional payment methods that

further their money laundering endeavors.

pose a greater risk of exposing the individual’s

true identity.

Illicit actors have integrated virtual currencies

into many different money-laundering

methodologies. Increasingly, MLOs are using

virtual currency automated teller machines

(ATMs) to aid in the movement of illicit

bulk currency. These ATMs are specifically

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX B: ACRONYM GLOSSARY

4-ANPP

4-anilino-N-phenethyl-4-piperidone

AAPCC

American Association of Poison Control Centers

AML

Anti-Money Laundering

AOR

Area of Responsibility

ARCOS

Automation of Reports and Consolidated Orders System

BLO

Beltran-Leyva Organization

BHO

Butane Hash Oil

CBD

Cannabidiol

CBP

Customs and Border Protection

CDC

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CJNG

Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (Jalisco New Generation Cartel)

CMEA

Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act

CPD

Controlled Prescription Drugs

CPOT

Consolidated Priority Organization Target

CSA

Controlled Substances Act

CSP

Cocaine Signature Program

DCE/SP

Domestic Cannabis Eradication/Suppression Program

DEA

Drug Enforcement Administration

DTO

Drug Trafficking Organization

EPIC

El Paso Intelligence Center

FARC

Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Revolutionary Armed Forces of

Colombia)

FBI

Federal Bureau of Investigation

DEA Field Division

FinCEN

Financial and Crime Enforcement Network

FRS

Fentanyl-related Substances

FSPP

Fentanyl Signature Profiling Program

Fiscal Year

GAO

Grupos Armados Organizados (Armed Criminal Organizations)

Hectare

HDMP

Heroin Domestic Monitor Program

HIDTA

High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

MDMA

Methyldioxymethamphetamine

MPP

Methamphetamine Profiling Program

Metric Ton

NDTA

National Drug Threat Assessment

NFLIS

National Forensic Laboratory Information System

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NPP

N-phenethyl-4-piperidone

NPS

New Psychoactive Substances

NSDUH

National Survey on Drug Use and Health

NSS

National Seizure System

OCDETF

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force

OCONUS

Outside Continental United States

P2P

Phenyl-2-Propanone

PDMP

Prescription Drug Monitoring Program

POE

Ports of Entry

POV

Privately Owned Vehicles

DEA Resident Office

SAMHSA

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SOOTM

Synthetic Opioids Other Than Methadone

SWB

Southwest Border

TBML

Trade-Based Money Laundering

TCO

Transnational Criminal Organization

THC

Tetrahydrocannabinol

THCA

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid

UNODC

United Nations Office of Drug Control

USC

United States Currency

USG

United States Government

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2020 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX C: DATA SET DESCRIPTIONS

El Paso Intelligence Center, National Seizure System

The El Paso Intelligence Center’s National Seizure System (NSS) tabulates information pertaining to drug

seizures made by participating law enforcement agencies. NSS also includes data on clandestine

methamphetamine laboratories seized by local, state, and Federal law enforcement agencies. NSS

records are under the control and custody of the DEA, and are maintained in accordance of Federal

laws and regulations. Use of the information is limited to law enforcement agencies in connection

with criminal law enforcement activities. The El Paso Intelligence Center is the central repository for

this data. For example, the methamphetamine data is useful in determining, the types, numbers, and

locations of methamphetamine laboratories seized; manufacturing trends; precursor and chemical

sources; the number of children and law enforcement officers affected; and investigative leads. NSS

superseded the Federal-Wide Drug Seizure System (FDSS), a computerized system that deconflicted

overlapping information about drug seizures made by and with the participation of the FBI, DEA, and

the Department of Homeland Security.

NFLIS Summary for 2020 NDTA

The National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS) is a voluntary program of the Drug

Enforcement Administration (DEA) Diversion Control Division. NFLIS-Drug is a database where drug

identification results and associated information from drug cases are submitted to and analyzed

by federal, state, and local forensic laboratories. The NFLIS-Drug participation rate, defined as

the percentage of the national drug caseload represented by laboratories that have joined NFLIS,

is currently more than 98 percent. Based on the voluntary system, data in NFLIS-Drug fluctuates

frequently depending on the date it is queried as more encounters may be added daily. The 2020

NDTA includes information queried on July 10, 2020, so all raw data points were identified on or

before that date.

In reference to the data’s unit of measure, one count represents one single report in the NFLIS-Drug

database. Drug evidence secured in law enforcement operations (i.e., drug seizures) are submitted

to forensic laboratories for analysis. However, drug evidence can vary in size, and one case can

consist of one or more items of drug evidence. Within each item, multiple drugs may be identified

and reported. One single report equates to one documented occurrence of a drug, whereas each

report is counted separately and added to the data in NFLIS-Drug.

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►

U.S. Government Drug Production Estimates

The U.S. Government’s annual illicit crop cultivation and drug production estimates provide a strategic

overview of drug trends in the world’s leading heroin and cocaine producing countries. The illicit crop

estimates are based on imagery collected from the world’s coca and opium poppy growing regions.

The cocaine and heroin production estimates are based on scientific analysis of data collected on

cocaine and heroin processing methods.

National Vital Statistics Data

Data on drug-induced and drug poisoning deaths are based on information from all death certificates

filed (2.839 million in 2018) in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. Information from the

states is provided to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), a component of CDC. NCHS

makes available causes of death attributable to drug-induced mortality. Drug-induced deaths include

not only deaths from dependent and nondependent use of legal or illegal drugs, but also poisoning

from medically prescribed and other drugs. Drug-induced causes exclude unintentional injuries,

homicides, and other causes indirectly related to drug use. Also excluded are newborn deaths due to

the mother’s drug use. The International Classification of Diseases, Version 10 (ICD-10) was implemented

in 1999 following conventions defined by the World Health Organization to replace Version 9 (ICD-9),

in use since 1979. In addition to tables published by CDC, unpublished sub-national tabulations and

drug poisoning deaths involving specific drugs were extracted by ONDCP from CDC’s online system

WONDER (Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research).

DEA PRB 01-12-21-43

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