This document discusses trends in methamphetamine production and trafficking. It notes that most clandestine meth labs are small toxic labs that produce less than 10 pounds per cycle. Larger "super labs" that produce over 10 pounds per cycle were once concentrated in California but have declined sharply since 2002. Meth production is now shifting to Mexico, where purity and seizure amounts have increased along the US-Mexico border. Pseudoephedrine remains the primary precursor for meth. The document outlines DEA and Mexican government efforts to regulate precursor chemicals and crack down on illegal diversion. It also discusses controls on domestic and international importers, distributors, and retailers of precursor chemicals.

1. Drug Enforcement Administration
Methamphetamine
And Chemical Control
Joseph T. Rannazzisi
Deputy Chief
Office of Enforcement Operations

2. All Meth Clandestine Laboratory Incidents
(Labs, Dumpsites, Chem/Glass/Equipment)
Calendar Year 2001
1479 85
65 154
587 131 18 45
30 122 8
578
208 17
320 521 89
259 161 240
853 2181 17
5
1884 175 MA 1
806 404 495 32 RI 1
312 103 10
224
166 59 NJ 1
AK 14 620 16
MD 2
HI 3 ME 2
35
NH 2
Source: National Clandestine Laboratory Database
Totals are based on data
Total: 13,540 / 47 States Reporting reported to EPIC and entered
Dates: 01/01/01 to 12/31/01 into the CLSS as of 04/13/05

3. Total of All Meth Clandestine Laboratory Incidents
Including Labs, Dumpsites, Chem/Glass/Equipment
Calendar Year 2004
954 72 232
167
31 76
470 42 21 292 48
260 1337
10951068 294 105
79 72 228 588 167 DC 1
2782
574 75
DE 3
765 658 806 1421 318
128 120 170 MA 1
270 386
461 122 261
MD 1
AK 66 ME 3
HI 13 280 NH 2
GUAM 1 VT 1
Source: National Clandestine Laboratory Database
Total: 17,388 / 47 States Reporting Totals are based on data
reported to EPIC and entered
Dates: 01/01/04 to 12/31/04 into the CLSS as of 11/21/05

4. Pseudoephedrine is the primary
precursor found in clandestine
methamphetamine labs

5. Small toxic labs
(STLs) account
for the majority
of all labs seized.

6. Super labs
produce > 10 lb
per cycle and account
for the majority of
methamphetamine
produced.

7. Super Lab Seizures
2002 144 US (130 CA)
2003 137 US (132 CA)
2004 55 US (30 CA)
62% reduction since 2002.
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Per EPIC August 22, 2005
2002 2003 2004

8. Methamphetamine Trends
Methamphetamine Production Shifting to
Mexico
1. Canadian border seizure events involving
ephedrine and pseudoephedrine have
dramatically declined.
2. Seizures of methamphetamine along the
SW border of the U.S. and Mexico have
increased from 1,170 kg in 2001 to 2,299
kg in 2004.*
3. Purity of SW border seizures have
increased from 16.9% (2001) to greater
than 70% (2004) *Per EPIC, August 29, 2005

9. Shifting Trends in Trafficking
Primarily domestic sources of precursor for domestic
methamphetamine production 1980 - 1999
To Canada as source of pseudoephedrine tablets
1999 -2002
To Mexico as source for pseudoephedrine and
methamphetamine production
2002 - present

10. Shifting Trends
Although methamphetamine production has
moved south of the border and the Mexican
Organizations seem to be increasing production
output, there was still over 17,000 domestic labs
in 2003 and 2004

11. DEA /GOM Efforts
Mexico
1. DEA has trained 79 GOM officials (17 COFEPRIS 62
deputized state) to inspect Mexican importers/distributors.
2. DEA/DOJ has trained approximately 80 AFI agents and 19
Prosecutors to investigate and prosecute clandestine laboratory
and precursor cases.
3. GOM has estimated the licit need of PSE between 60 and 130
MTs is in the process of imposing stricter import quotas for
PSE.
4. DEA brokered cooperative agreement with Mexico, Panama
and Hong Kong to require import permit or pre-shipment
notification documentation.

12. Shift to Pharmaceutical Preparations
USA
MEXICO HONG KONG
PANAMA
Hong Kong to Mexico via the U.S. and Panama
March and April 2003 – US & Panamanian Customs seized
4 shipments totaling 19 million PSE tablets destined to
fictitious companies in Mexico.

13. Domestic Importers
Notification for all proposed imports or exports
of listed chemicals must be provided to DEA 15
days in advance. DEA reviews action and either
approves or denies.
Under 21 USC 971, DEA can deny an import if
we can show that a downstream customer is
connected to the diversion of these materials.
Letter of No Objection for all bulk and single
entity pharmaceutical preps.

14. Manufacturers, Wholesalers and
Distributors
Registrants since 1996
Periodic inspections
OTSC against registrant/applicant if
investigation/inspection has determined that the
activities related to the chemicals are not in the
public interest

15. DEA Administrative Actions
Attacking the Gray Market
152 Registrations
Surrendered for Cause
155 OTSC Issued
1,403 Out of business
Avg. 400 new
applications per year
Registrants in decline
3,568 in 2000
3,344 in 2002
2,891 in 2005

16. PSE Retailers
No registration required
Records maintained only for sales above 9 Gram
threshold (approximately 367 30mg tabs)
Safe harbor provision

17. PSE Producing Countries
India, China, Germany, Czech Republic, U.S.
Project Prism – UN Sponsored initiative aimed at
assisting governments in developing and implementing
operating procedures in the control and monitoring of
trade in precursors
Brokers/exporters of PSE/EPH are located
throughout Europe and Asia.
1988 Vienna Convention
World-wide production figures
Producers meeting
U.S. needs assessment