United States Global Drug Trade $65 Billion
According to congressional testimony by the Drug Enforcement Administration, consumers in the United States spend $65 billion per year on illegal drugs.
Source: Joseph T. Rannazzisi, “Breaking the Methamphetamine Supply Chain: Law Enforcement Challenges,” Congressional Testimony, Senate Committee on Finance, September 12, 2006, (accessed: February 21, 2007).
90 percent of guns seized in Mexico are from United States
Richard A. Serrano, “U.S. guns arm Mexican drug cartels,” Los Angeles Times, August 10, 2008.
530 to 710 tonnes of cocaine enter the US through Mexico each year
Source: The Economist, “Marching as to war,” February 2, 2008.
Drugs contribute roughly 4 percent of Mexico’s GDP
Source: The Economist, “Marching as to war,” February 2, 2008, pg. 45.
40 percent of drug arrests in US for marijuana
According to Foreign Policy Magazine, in the United States “roughly 40 percent of the country’s 1.8 million annual drug arrests are for cannabis possession.”
Source: Ethan Nadelmann, “Think Again: Drugs,” Foreign Policy, Sept/Oct 2007.
Cocaine market in Bolivia
According to the 2006 United Nations World Drug Report, the market value of coca produced in Bolivia based on farm-gate prices was $180 million in 2005.
Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, “2007 World Drug Report,” June 2007, pg. 223-240.
Opium Value in Afghanistan
According to the United States Department of State, the export value of Afghanistan’s 2006 opium export was $3.1 billion.
Source: 2007 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, “Southwest Asia: Afghanistan,” United States Department of State, March 2007.
Financial value of cocaine produced in Colombia
According to the 2006 United Nations World Drug Report, the market value of coca produced in Colombia based on farm-gate prices was $843 million in 2005.
Source: United Nations, “2006 World Drug Report,” Office on Drugs and Crime, June 2006, pg.240.
Ecstasy Market Value: $16.07 Billion
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates the total value of the global ecstasy market to be valued at $16.07 billion.
Number of users worldwide: 8.6 million.
Source: United Nations, “2005 World Drug Report,” Office on Drugs and Crime, June 2005, pg. 142.
Amphetamines / Meth Market Value: $28.25 Billion
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates the total value of the global amphetamines market (excluding ecstasy) to be valued at $28.25 billion.
Number of users worldwide: 24.9 million.
Source: United Nations, “2005 World Drug Report,” Office on Drugs and Crime, June 2005, pg. 140.
