NCJ Number
145295
Date Published
1993
Length
63 pages
Annotation
Based on data from the Federal agencies with responsibilities for drug law enforcement, foreign and domestic policy, drug treatment, drug research, and drug intelligence, this report describes and assesses the worldwide situation regarding illicit drug production and trafficking.
Abstract
The increasing amounts of growing, processing, smuggling, and distribution of controlled drugs were at unacceptably high levels during 1992. However, the focused efforts of law enforcement agencies, drug treatment programs, and drug educators resulted in the disruption of several crucial criminal organizations and a continued decline in the reported use of major illicit drugs such as cocaine and marijuana in the United States. A notable event was the United States trial and conviction of Panamanian General Manuel Noriega on drug trafficking charges. Another noteworthy incident was the July escape of Pablo Escobar, main leader of the Medellin Cartel, from prison in Colombia. Cocaine was readily available in all major metropolitan areas in the United States. Prices remained consistent with those in 1991. The heroin market in the United States was dominated by high-purity heroin from Southeast Asia, although heroin from other countries was also readily available. Marijuana was the most commonly used illicit drug in the United States during 1992. Diversion of controlled drugs from the legitimate drug distribution was an ongoing problem. Clandestine laboratories produced most of the illicit dangerous drugs available in the United States. Figures, tables, glossary, and list of agencies to which the report was distributed