60+ Drug Trafficking Statistics in the U.S

10 Key Drug Trafficking Statistics in the USA

• The United States has the largest drug market in the world, with an estimated value of $150 billion annually.
• Mexican drug trafficking organizations are responsible for the majority of drug trafficking in the USA, with an estimated 90% of all cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine entering the country through Mexico.
• Over 70,000 people in the USA died from drug overdoses in 2019, with opioids being the main cause of death.
• The opioid epidemic costs the USA an estimated $78.5 billion each year in healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity.
• Over 10 million people in the USA misused prescription opioids in 2019.
• The number of people who died from synthetic opioids like fentanyl increased by 38% from 2018 to 2019.
• The number of cocaine overdose deaths in the USA increased by 27% from 2018 to 2019.
• The number of methamphetamine overdose deaths in the USA increased by 35% from 2018 to 2019.
• In 2019, over 1.3 million people in the USA had a cocaine use disorder.
• Over 500,000 people in the USA had a methamphetamine use disorder in 2019.

Reasons Why People Engage in Drug Trafficking

• Financial gain: Money is a powerful motivator, and drug trafficking can be extremely profitable. In fact, 81% of incarcerated drug traffickers reported that they engaged in drug trafficking to make money.
• Addiction: Some drug traffickers are themselves addicted to drugs and engage in trafficking as a way to support their own habits. Approximately 39% of incarcerated drug traffickers reported that they were addicted to drugs at the time they were arrested.
• Lack of economic opportunities: In some cases, people turn to drug trafficking because they feel like they have no other options. For example, 28% of incarcerated drug traffickers reported that they turned to drug trafficking because of a lack of legitimate job opportunities.
• Peer pressure: Just like with any other criminal activity, peer pressure can play a role in drug trafficking. Approximately 12% of incarcerated drug traffickers reported that they got involved in the activity because friends or family members were already involved.
• Violence and intimidation: Unfortunately, violence and intimidation can also play a role in drug trafficking. Approximately 10% of incarcerated drug traffickers reported that they engaged in the activity out of fear for their own safety or the safety of their loved ones.

Drug Trafficking by Age Group

• 9.7% of people aged 12 or older in the USA used illicit drugs in the past month.
• Among people aged 12 to 17, 7.2% reported using illicit drugs within the past month.
• The percentage of people aged 18 to 25 who used illicit drugs within the past month was higher than any other age group, at 23.5%.
• For those aged 26 or older, the percentage of recent drug users was lower than that of young adults but still significant at 6.3%.
• In terms of specific substances, marijuana use is most common among those aged 18 to 25, while cocaine and heroin use is highest among those aged 26 or older.

Drug Trafficking by Gender

• Men are more likely to use and distribute drugs than women. In 2019, 10.4% of men aged 12 or older reported using illicit drugs in the past month, compared to 7.6% of women.
• The gender gap is largest among young adults aged 18 to 25. In this age group, 30.8% of men reported using illicit drugs in the past month, while only 16.1% of women did so.
• The gap narrows among those aged 26 or older, with 7.1% of men and 5.6% of women reporting recent drug use.
• In a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about two-thirds (64%) of prescription opioid misuse was attributed to women.

Drug Trafficking by Ethnicity

• Drug use rates vary significantly by ethnicity. In 2019, the highest rate of past-month drug use was reported among people who identified as multiracial (13.3%), followed by white individuals (10.6%), African Americans (9.2%), Hispanics (8.4%), and Asians (3.7%).
• The majority of people sentenced for federal drug offenses in the USA are Hispanic or African American. In 2020, 48% of federal offenders sentenced for drug trafficking were Hispanic, while 23% were African American and 22% were white.

Drug Trafficking by State

• The state with the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in 2019 was West Virginia, with a rate of 52.8 deaths per 100,000 people.
• New Hampshire had the second-highest rate of drug overdose deaths in 2019, at 39.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
• Ohio had the third-highest rate of drug overdose deaths in 2019, at 38.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
• Massachusetts had the fourth-highest rate of drug overdose deaths in 2019, at 33.0 deaths per 100,000 people.
• Rhode Island had the fifth-highest rate of drug overdose deaths in 2019, at 30.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
• The state with the lowest rate of drug overdose deaths in 2019 was South Dakota, with a rate of only 6.3 deaths per 100,000 people.
• Other states with low rates of drug overdose deaths include North Dakota (8.6), Nebraska (8.7), Iowa (10.1), and Wyoming (10.2).

Drug Trafficking by Country

• Colombia is one of the largest producers of cocaine in the world and is responsible for approximately 70% of the cocaine that enters the USA.
• Mexico is responsible for about 90% of all illegal drugs entering the USA, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
• Afghanistan produces approximately 80% of the world's illicit opium supply, which is used to make heroin. A significant amount of this heroin is trafficked into the USA.
• The Golden Crescent region (Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan) is a major source of opium and heroin that enters the USA through various routes.
• China has become a major producer and exporter of synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, which has contributed to the opioid epidemic in the USA. In 2019, Chinese authorities seized over 100 kilograms of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids destined for the USA.

Methamphetamine Trafficking Offenders

• In 2019, there were more than 15,000 methamphetamine trafficking offenders sentenced in the USA.
• Methamphetamine trafficking accounted for about 35% of all drug trafficking sentences in federal courts in 2019.
• The average sentence length for methamphetamine trafficking offenders was over 10 years in prison.
• About 60% of methamphetamine trafficking offenders had a prior criminal history, and nearly half had a prior drug conviction.
• California had the highest number of methamphetamine trafficking offenders sentenced in federal court in 2019, with over 1,500 offenders.

Cocaine Trafficking Offenders

• In 2019, there were over 6,000 cocaine trafficking offenders sentenced in the USA.
• Cocaine trafficking accounted for about 14% of all drug trafficking sentences in federal courts in 2019.
• The average sentence length for cocaine trafficking offenders was nearly 8 years in prison.
• About two-thirds (67%) of cocaine trafficking offenders had a prior criminal history, and over half had a prior drug conviction.
• Florida had the highest number of cocaine trafficking offenders sentenced in federal court in 2019, with over 1,100 offenders.

Fentanyl Trafficking Offenders

• In 2019, there were over 1,400 fentanyl trafficking offenders sentenced in the USA.
• Fentanyl trafficking accounted for about 3% of all drug trafficking sentences in federal courts in 2019.
• The average sentence length for fentanyl trafficking offenders was over 10 years in prison.
• About two-thirds (67%) of fentanyl trafficking offenders had a prior criminal history, and nearly half had a prior drug conviction.
• Ohio had the highest number of fentanyl trafficking offenders sentenced in federal court in 2019, with over 200 offenders.

Heroin Trafficking Offenders

• In 2019, there were over 3,000 heroin trafficking offenders sentenced in the USA.
• Heroin trafficking accounted for about 7% of all drug trafficking sentences in federal courts in 2019.
• The average sentence length for heroin trafficking offenders was nearly 8 years in prison.
• About two-thirds (67%) of heroin trafficking offenders had a prior criminal history, and over half had a prior drug conviction.
• New York had the highest number of heroin trafficking offenders sentenced in federal court in 2019, with over 600 offenders.

Oxycodone Trafficking Offenders

• In 2019, there were over 2,000 oxycodone trafficking offenders sentenced in the USA.
• Oxycodone trafficking accounted for about 5% of all drug trafficking sentences in federal courts in 2019.
• The average sentence length for oxycodone trafficking offenders was over 6 years in prison.
• About two-thirds (67%) of oxycodone trafficking offenders had a prior criminal history, and nearly half had a prior drug conviction.
• Florida had the highest number of oxycodone trafficking offenders sentenced in federal court in 2019, with over 500 offenders.

Marijuana Trafficking Offenders

• In 2019, there were over 4,000 marijuana trafficking offenders sentenced in the USA.
• Marijuana trafficking accounted for about 9% of all drug trafficking sentences in federal courts in 2019.
• The average sentence length for marijuana trafficking offenders was nearly 5 years in prison.
• About half (50%) of marijuana trafficking offenders had a prior criminal history, and approximately one-third had a prior drug conviction.
• California had the highest number of marijuana trafficking offenders sentenced in federal court in 2019, with over 1,200 offenders.

The Biggest Drug Trafficker in the World

• El Chapo (Joaquin Guzmán) - former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel and one of the most notorious drug traffickers in history, responsible for trafficking billions of dollars worth of drugs into the USA.
• Pablo Escobar - former leader of the Medellin Cartel and one of the wealthiest drug traffickers in history, responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine into the USA.
• Amado Carrillo Fuentes - former leader of the Juarez Cartel and one of the most powerful drug traffickers in Mexico, responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine and other drugs into the USA.
• Dawood Ibrahim - Indian crime lord and drug trafficker, believed to be one of the most powerful drug traffickers in Asia.
• Gilberto Rodriguez Orejuela - former leader of the Cali Cartel and one of the wealthiest drug traffickers in history, responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine into the USA.

FAQs

What is drug trafficking?

Drug trafficking is the illegal trade of drugs between countries or within borders, which involves the production, distribution, and sale of illicit drugs.

What are the most commonly trafficked drugs?

The most commonly trafficked drugs include cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, prescription opioids, and marijuana.

How do drug traffickers transport their products?

Drug traffickers use various methods to transport their products such as smuggling through land borders, air cargo shipments, maritime transportation using boats or submarines.

Who profits from drug trafficking?

Drug trafficking is a highly profitable business that generates billions of dollars for criminal organizations and individuals involved in the trade.

What is being done to combat drug trafficking in the USA?

The US government has implemented several initiatives to combat drug trafficking including increased border security measures, law enforcement crackdowns on major drug cartels and organizations, and public health campaigns aimed at reducing demand for drugs.

Can drug trafficking be stopped completely?

Stopping all drug trafficking completely is unlikely due to the vast amount of money involved in the trade and its ability to adapt to new challenges. However, reducing its impact on society remains a critical goal for governments around the world.

Who is the king of drug trafficking?

Drug trafficking is a significant problem that affects many countries around the world. The illegal trade of drugs generates billions of dollars for criminal organizations and individuals involved in the trade, while also causing harm to individuals and communities affected by drug addiction and related crimes. While efforts are being made to combat drug trafficking, it remains a challenging problem that requires ongoing attention and resources from governments, law enforcement agencies, and the public.

Conclusion

These 60 drug trafficking statistics show that drug trafficking is a serious issue in the USA. The country has the largest drug market in the world, and Mexican drug trafficking organizations are responsible for the majority of drug trafficking in the USA.

The opioid epidemic is a major problem, with opioids being the main cause of drug overdose deaths in the USA. The number of people who misuse prescription opioids is also a major concern. The economic cost of drug abuse in the USA is estimated to be over $740 billion annually, and the War on Drugs has cost the country an estimated $1 trillion since it began in the 1970s.

Sources

• https://www.pewtrusts.org/drug-arrests-stayed-high-even-as-imprisonment-fell
• https://www.ussc.gov/research/quick-facts/drug-trafficking
• https://www.ussc.gov/sites/Drug_Trafficking_FY20.pdf
• https://drugabuse.com/statistics-data/drug-trafficking/
• https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/drug-trafficking