Cocaine production, trafficking and abuse, once seen as concerns primarily for the United States, are increasingly global in nature. Cocaine trafficking generates billions of dollars every year. Organized criminal groups use these profits to obtain power and to finance other criminal groups, terrorists and insurgencies.

Colombia, Peru and Bolivia remain the primary sources of coca leaf and finished cocaine hydrochloride. In the last five years cocaine production in the Andean region has decreased dramatically, from over 900 metric tons to 640 metric tons in 2004. Over the last 15 years the most notable changes have been the drop in cocaine production from Bolivia and Peru and Colombia’s increased production capability.

Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

The year 2004 marked the fourth in a row in which cocaine production in Colombia declined. This was due to a combination of aerial eradication efforts and alternative development projects. The most recent estimates from the United States government showed that although the amount of land under coca cultivation remains the same (114,000 hectares), the potential amount of cocaine produced in Colombia was 430 metric tons. Potential cocaine production in Bolivia increased slightly to 65 metric tons, while production in Peru declined to 145 metric tons.

The primary markets for cocaine, as reflected by the data submitted to INTERPOL’s General Secretariat remain North America and Western Europe. The information provided suggests that demand for cocaine remains stable, and there have been no significant changes other than a decrease in the amounts of cocaine seized.

The United States remains the world’s largest cocaine market. Information from abuse indicator programs suggests a moderate drop in demand for cocaine, most notably among young adults, although overall demand remains stable. Although the use of crack cocaine continues, most crack cocaine is produced in small quantities in urban areas due to the severe criminal penalties associated with possession of the drug.

Seizures in Europe have increased over the last several years, confirming the maturation of the cocaine market in Western Europe. Recent reports, particularly from northern countries, suggest young adults are increasingly using cocaine rather than amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). This change in drug abuse patterns is likely the result of the increased availability and lower price of cocaine, as well as government campaigns against the use of ATS. Eastern European countries do not appear to have a significant problem with cocaine trafficking and abuse at this time. There are initial indications, however, that Eastern and Southern European organized crime groups are involved in the distribution of cocaine around the world, and a cocaine market may be developing in Eastern Europe.

Countries in Asia, the Middle East, Oceania and parts of Africa are reporting rises in cocaine abuse. Also, production and transit countries and neighboring states in South and Central America are increasingly affected by the cocaine trade in terms of violence, corruption and the consequences of drug abuse.

Based on reports from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, nations in the Americas seized the majority of cocaine in 2003, accounting for 87% of the world’s seizures. These statistics are similar to the data supplied to the General Secretariat from member states. European nations follow with 13% of seizures. The United States seized the greatest amount of cocaine, followed by Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Mexico and Brazil.

In Europe, Spain seized the most cocaine including seizures which took place in international waters. Recent measures by the Netherlands at the international airport in Amsterdam and in the Netherlands Antilles have reduced the number of cocaine couriers utilising the route from Curacao to the Netherlands. Nevertheless, Dutch authorities seized the second highest amount of cocaine among European nations, followed by Italy, France and Germany.

Source: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime