Drug Trafficking Statistics in the U.S.A.

Drug trafficking is a serious problem in the United States. It is a criminal industry that generates billions of dollars every year and has devastating effects on individuals and communities. Here are 10 key statistics that illustrate the scope of drug trafficking in the U.S.

Key Drug Trafficking Statistics

1. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), drug trafficking is estimated to be a $64 billion industry in the United States.
2. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that drug overdose deaths have increased dramatically in recent years, with over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2019 alone.
3. The DEA reports that over 80% of heroin seized in the U.S. comes from Mexico.
4. In 2019, the DEA seized over 4,500 pounds of methamphetamine in the U.S.
5. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there were over 67,000 drug seizures at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2019.
6. The NIDA reports that in 2019, over 9% of Americans aged 12 or older had used illicit drugs in the past month.
7. In 2019, the DEA seized over 10,000 pounds of cocaine in the U.S.
8. The DEA reports that the number of fentanyl seizures in the U.S. increased by over 1000% between 2013 and 2019.
9. According to the NIDA, over 40% of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involve prescription opioids.
10. The DEA reports that over 90% of cocaine seized in the U.S. comes from Colombia.

Quick Facts on Drug Trafficking Offenses (2022)

• Total cases reported: 64,142
• Cases involving drugs: 20,037
• Cases involving drug trafficking: 19,851
• Seven drug types accounting for 98.0% of drug trafficking offenses

Changes in Drug Trafficking Offenders from FY 2018 to FY 2022

The number of drug trafficking offenders has shifted significantly between fiscal year (FY) 2018 and FY 2022. Here are some notable changes by drug type:

• Methamphetamine: increased by 28.8%
• Crack Cocaine: decreased by 22.0%
• Powder Cocaine: decreased by 5.0%
• Heroin: decreased by 37.4%
• Fentanyl: increased by 435.4%
• Oxycodone: decreased by 33.3%
• Marijuana: decreased by 61.9%

What are the Most Common Drugs Trafficked?

According to the Commission's research, the following drugs are among the most commonly trafficked in the United States, listed in order of prevalence:

• Methamphetamine - 48.8% of drug trafficking offenses involved this highly addictive stimulant drug, which can cause serious health problems and even death when abused.
• Powder Cocaine - 17.4% of drug trafficking offenses involved this widely-used illicit drug, which is often mixed with other substances and can cause severe health problems such as heart attacks and seizures.
• Heroin - 8.1% of drug trafficking offenses involved this powerful opioid drug, which can cause addiction, overdose, and death when abused.
• Fentanyl and Analogues - 12.6% of drug trafficking offenses involved these synthetic opioids, which are many times more potent than heroin and pose a high risk of overdose.
• Crack Cocaine - 5.6% of drug trafficking offenses involved this highly addictive form of cocaine, which is often smoked and can cause severe health problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
• Marijuana - 4.1% of drug trafficking offenses involved this widely-used illicit drug, which remains illegal under federal law despite being legalized for medical or recreational use in several states.
• Oxycodone - 1.4% of drug trafficking offenses involved this prescription painkiller, which can cause addiction and overdose when abused.
• Other - 2.0% of drug trafficking offenses involved other types of drugs not included in the above categories.

Read about: Prescription Drug Abuse Statistics & Facts (2023)

Drug Trafficking Offender Characteristics

• Gender: Of all drug trafficking offenders, 82.2% were men.
• Race/Ethnicity: 42.7% were Hispanic, 28.1% were Black, 26.0% were White, and 3.2% were from other racial/ethnic groups.
• Age: The average age of drug trafficking offenders was 37 years.
• Citizenship: 84.0% of drug trafficking offenders were United States citizens.
• Criminal History: 41.7% had little or no prior criminal history (Criminal History Category I); 5.5% were career offenders.

Top Districts in Drug Trafficking Offenders

• Southern District of California: This district had the highest number of drug trafficking offenders, with 1,755 cases reported.
• Southern District of Texas: With 975 cases reported, this district ranked second in terms of drug trafficking offenses.
• Western District of Texas: This district had 955 cases reported, making it the third highest-ranking district for drug trafficking offenses.
• Northern District of Texas: With 715 cases reported, this district ranked fourth in terms of drug trafficking offenses.
• Northern District of Ohio: This district had 534 cases reported, putting it in fifth place among districts with the highest number of drug trafficking offenders.

Drug Trafficking by State

• California: According to the DEA, California is the primary gateway for drug trafficking into the U.S. from Mexico. In 2019, California accounted for over 40% of all methamphetamine seizures in the U.S.
• Texas: The Texas-Mexico border is a major entry point for drugs smuggled into the U.S. In 2019, Texas accounted for over 60% of all heroin seized at the Southwest Border.
• Florida: Due to its location and ports, Florida has become a major transit point for drugs entering the U.S. from South America and the Caribbean. In 2019, Florida ranked third among states with the most cocaine seizures.
• New York: As a major transportation hub and financial center, New York has long been a target destination for drug traffickers. In 2019, New York ranked second among states with the most heroin seizures.
• Illinois: Chicago has become a major distribution hub for drugs smuggled into the Midwest region of the U.S. In 2019, Illinois ranked fourth among states with the most fentanyl seizures.
• Arizona: Due to its proximity to Mexico, Arizona serves as a key corridor for drug trafficking into the U.S. In 2019, Arizona ranked first among states with the most marijuana seizures.
• Georgia: Atlanta has become a major distribution center for drugs smuggled into the southeastern region of the U.S. In 2019, Georgia ranked fifth among states with the most methamphetamine seizures.
• Ohio: As a crossroads between major highways and waterways, Ohio has become an important transit point for drugs entering the Midwest region. In 2019, Ohio ranked first among states with the most fentanyl-related overdose deaths.
• North Carolina: Due to its location and interstate highways, North Carolina has become a key point for drug trafficking into the eastern U.S. In 2019, North Carolina ranked seventh among states with the most opioid-related overdose deaths.

Drug Trafficking Sentencing Outcomes

The following statistics provide insight into the sentencing outcomes of drug trafficking offenders in the United States:

• Possession of a Weapon: The sentences of 26.4% of drug trafficking offenders were increased due to possessing a weapon.
• Leadership/Supervisory Role: Holding a leadership or supervisory role in the offense resulted in increased sentences for 6.2% of drug trafficking offenders.
• Minor Participation: Sentences were decreased for 19.5% of drug trafficking offenders who had minor or minimal participation in the offense.
• Safety Valve Criteria: Meeting the safety valve criteria in the sentencing guidelines resulted in sentence reductions for 34.7% of drug trafficking offenders.

It's important to note that these factors are not the only ones taken into consideration during sentencing. However, they do play a significant role in determining the final sentencing outcomes for drug trafficking offenders.

Read about: 31 Drug Crime Statistics & Facts [2023]

Drug Trafficking Average Sentence Length by Drug

• Average Sentence Length: While the average sentence for drug trafficking offenders was 78 months, it varied by drug type.
• Incarceration Rate: Almost all (96.6%) of drug trafficking offenders were sentenced to prison.
• Mandatory Minimum Penalties: 64.7% of drug trafficking offenders were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty. Of those offenders, 55.4% had that penalty relieved.

Relief from Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Drug Traffickers

• In 64.7% of drug trafficking cases, offenders were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty.
• Of those offenders, 55.4% had that penalty relieved through the use of safety valve criteria.
• Safety valve criteria include providing "substantial assistance" to authorities in the investigation or prosecution of another person, having no more than one criminal history point, not using violence or credible threats of violence or possessing a firearm in connection with the offense, and truthfully admitting involvement in the offense before the sentencing hearing.
• The average sentence reduction for those who qualified for safety valve relief was 35 months.

The Cost of Drug Trafficking in the United States

• The estimated cost of drug trafficking to the United States is over $400 billion annually. This includes costs related to healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity.
• According to a report by the RAND Corporation, drug trafficking costs the U.S. economy between 120 billion and in lost productivity alone.
• The cost of drug trafficking is not just financial. It also has a significant impact on public health and safety, with drug-related deaths and overdoses on the rise in recent years.
• In addition to the human toll, drug trafficking also contributes to other societal problems such as poverty, crime, and violence.
• Addressing drug trafficking requires a multifaceted approach that involves law enforcement, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations.

2020 Drug Seizures at the U.S. Border

• In 2020, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized over 92,000 pounds of cocaine, 2,500 pounds of heroin, and 9,500 pounds of methamphetamine at the border.
• The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized approximately 1.5 million pounds of marijuana in 2020.
• According to the DEA's National Drug Threat Assessment report for 2020, law enforcement agencies seized a total of over 15,000 kilograms of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues in that year.

The Multifaceted Impact of Drug Trafficking

• The impact of drug trafficking on public health is significant, with drug-related deaths and overdoses on the rise in recent years. In 2019 alone, there were over 70,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States.
• Drug trafficking also contributes to other societal problems such as poverty, crime, and violence.
• According to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), substance abuse and addiction cost the U.S. economy over $740 billion annually in healthcare costs, lost productivity, and crime-related expenses.
• The impact of drug trafficking extends beyond the United States, with international drug trafficking contributing to destabilization and corruption in countries around the world.
• In addition to its social and economic impacts, drug trafficking has serious environmental consequences. The production of drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine requires large amounts of toxic chemicals that can contaminate soil, air, and water sources.

Federal Laws and Sentencing Guidelines for Drug Trafficking

• There are several federal laws in place to combat drug trafficking, including the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986.
• The CSA categorizes drugs into five schedules based on their potential for abuse and medical use. Schedule I drugs, such as heroin and LSD, have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, while Schedule V drugs, such as cough medicines with codeine, have a low potential for abuse and accepted medical uses.
• The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 established mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, including drug trafficking. This law has been criticized for its disproportionate impact on communities of color.
• According to the United States Sentencing Commission's Quick Facts on Drug Trafficking report from 2021, the average sentence length for drug trafficking offenders was 78 months in fiscal year 2020.
• In that same year, 96.6% of drug trafficking offenders were sentenced to prison.
• Additionally, 64.7% of drug trafficking offenders were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty. Of those offenders, 55.4% had that penalty relieved through the use of safety valve criteria.Sources:

Summary

Drug trafficking is a major issue in the United States, with significant impacts on public health and safety, the economy, and society at large. California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Arizona, Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina are among the states most affected by drug trafficking.

The average sentence for drug trafficking offenders was 78 months, with almost all (96.6%) of those sentenced to prison. While federal laws such as the Controlled Substances Act and the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 have been put in place to combat drug trafficking, addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach involving law enforcement, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations.

Sources

• Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Drug trafficking. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/drug-trafficking
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, March 02). Overdose death rates. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (2020, December 28). CBP releases statistics and FY2020 trade and travel report. Retrieved from https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-releases-statistics-and-fy2020-trade-and-travel-report
• "The Economic Costs of Drug Abuse in the United States," National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/economic-costs-drug-abuse-united-states-2016
• "The Cost of Substance Use Disorders to the Healthcare System," Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cost-hhs-report-final-revised.pdf

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