NCJ Number
189405
Date Published
2001
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overview of the latest trends in illicit drug production and trafficking at the global and regional levels, and it summarizes information received from governments in the annual reports questionnaires.
Abstract
The statistics and analyses are presented by drug type and include information on the latest trends in illicit cultivation, production, and trafficking in opiates and coca; global opiate and coca interception rates and the availability of potential heroin and cocaine to the world markets; a brief overview of the latest cannabis trafficking trends; and a summary of illicit manufacturing and trafficking trends for amphetamine-type stimulants (mainly amphetamine, methamphetamine, and Ecstasy-type substances). The data showed that the global production of opium declined from more than 5,700 tons in 1999 to an estimated 4,700 tons in 2000. This trend was due mainly to a decrease in production in Afghanistan, which now accounts for approximately 69 percent of the global production, compared with 79 percent in 1999. Heroin and opium seizures increased at the global level in 1999, along with the increase in opium production during that year. The increase in heroin seizures occurred primarily in southwest Asia. Global illicit coca production appears to have been more or less stable in 2000 compared to previous years, with an estimated 800 tons of potential cocaine produced. Global seizures of cocaine increased significantly in 1998, and in 1999 seizures declined slightly from the 1998 peak, but remained above the level of previous years. The United states continues to record the largest cocaine seizure volume. Global cannabis herb seizures increased significantly in 1999, reaching almost 4,000 tons, a 35-percent increase over 1998 and a 46-percent increase over the average level recorded during the 1990's. The manufacture, trafficking, and abuse of methamphetamine continues to be of great concern in North America. Western Europe remains the primary source of amphetamine and Ecstasy-type substances. 2 tables and 50 figures