Illegal Flows: Narcotics
North America
consumption:
largest cocaine consumption
amphetamine-type stimulants are increasing in popularity
trade:
mexican mafias are increasingly involved in smuggling drugs across the US border/pacific
production:
large production of amphetamine-type stimulants
Central America (i.e. Mexico, Caribbean)
consumption:
= on the rise
trade:
small planes, couriers and cargo ships transport products from the South American cocaine trade to Europe
production:
opium produced for North American markets
South America
consumption:
rise in use of cocaine and amphetamine
trade:
high levels in all countries/regions
Venezuela + Brazil are hotspots for stopovers on deliveries for Africa & Europe
production:
almost all of the world's cocaine comes from Columbia, Peru, & Bolivia
Western & Central Europe
consumption:
high consumption of cocaine
opiates & amphetamine rising
trade:
destination for many drugs
extensive smuggling within Europe
significant points of control in drug trafficking in Amsterdam, Madrid and Germany
production:
large producer of amphetamines
methamphetamines produced primarily in the Czech Republic, Slovakia & Germany
Eastern Europe
consumption:
greater consumption of opiates due to proximity to trade routes
trade:
delivery of opiates to Western Europe comes through Eastern Europe
cocaine is smuggled from Africa into Europe in this region
production:
amphetamine stimulants produced in most countries
Middle East
consumption:
high consumption of opiates + amphetamine due to proximity to trade routes & production sites
trade:
main route for opium & heroin
cartels from almost 20 countries involved in these trade routes
production:
opium production in Afghanistan
heroin produced in almost all countries to meet European demand
Asia
consumption:
trade:
production:
largest consumption of amphetamine + opium
opiates from Myanmar & Laos shipped over the pacific
amphetamine produced almost everywhere
Myanmar is the world's second largest producer of opiates
Oceania
trade:
consumption:
production:
increasing consumption of amphetamine
insignificant
amphetamine is produced for the internal market
Africa
consumption;
increasing consumption of amphetamine
trade:
transport route to Europe
cartels in Nigeria regulate sale & trade to Europe
production:
insignificant
Drugs:
Opium + Heroin
When the latex of the opium poppy dries, raw opium is produced. Further extensive chemical processing then yields opium, which can be smoked.
This is then partially further processed into the very powerful substance diamorphine (heroin), which can be smoked, sniffed, or injected.
Cocaine + Crack
The leaves of the lightly narcotic coca plant are processed into a white powder in illegal laboratories.
This cocaine hydrochloride can be sniffed in either pure or diluted form. When mixed with sodium bicarbonate and water and then heated, crack is produced, the vapors of which can be inhaled.
Amphetamine-type Stimulants
Synthetic stimulants such as amphetamines like "speed," methamphetamines "crystal," and MDMA like "ecstasy" are produced globally, often in kitchen laboratories.
Production is simple, the profits huge. Amphetamines and methamphetamines are colorless oils, which are processed into pastes or salts, often diluted and mixed. They appear in the market in the form of powders, pill, or liquids.