UNCLASSIFIED 2019 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT This page intentionally left blank. UNCLASSIFIED PMS 320 PMS 505 UNCLASSIFIED PMS 377 DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION 2019 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT This product was prepared by DEA’s Strategic Intelligence Section. Comments and questions may be addressed to the Office of Intelligence Programs at
[email protected]. For media/press inquiries call (202) 307-7977. DFN-701-03--Destroy 2 years after issuance or when the DEA Intelligence Report is superseded or obsolete. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED This page intentionally left blank. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 2019 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT Letter of Dedication |2 Letter from the Acting Administrator |3 Executive Summary |4 Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids |9 Heroin |21 Controlled Prescription Drugs |31 Methamphetamine |43 Cocaine |59 Marijuana |77 New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) |91 Transnational Criminal Organizations |99 OCONUS and Tribal Threats |111 Illicit Finance |121 Gangs |125 Appendix A: Additional Figures |141 Appendix B: Acronym Glossary |144 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED 2019 NATIONAL DRUG THREAT ASSESSMENT LETTER OF DEDICATION The 2019 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) is dedicated to the memory of DEA Supervisory Intelligence Research Specialist Kirsten Walters. Kirsten directly managed the writing, editing, vetting, and release of the NDTA from 2016 through 2019 before she sadly passed away earlier this year. Kirsten’s constant energy, relentless optimism, and calm demeanor in the face of stress were all key factors in the success of DEA publishing the NDTA every year. Moreover, her caring disposition, steady guidance, sense of humor, and ever-present smile made Kirsten a wonderful supervisor, colleague, mentor, leader, and friend.