Key Statistics
Interactive Drug Flow Diagram
Hover over nodes and flows to see detailed information about drug trafficking routes to the United States.
Drug Sources by Type
| Drug Type | Primary Source | Percentage | Transit Route | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fentanyl | Mexico | 100% | Direct to U.S. border | Manufactured using Chinese precursor chemicals; no South American production |
| Cocaine | Colombia | 90-98% | Via Mexico to U.S. | Some from Peru (~2%) and Bolivia; enters U.S. through Mexican cartels |
| Methamphetamine | Mexico | ~100% | Direct to U.S. border | Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels dominate production and distribution |
| Heroin | Mexico | ~90% | Direct to U.S. border | ~10% from Colombia; Afghan heroin does not reach U.S. in significant quantities |
Venezuela's Actual Role
What Venezuela IS:
- Transit country for cocaine destined for Europe and Africa - Venezuelan waters and Caribbean routes are used to ship Colombian cocaine EASTWARD across the Atlantic to European markets, NOT north to the United States
- Listed as "Major Drug Transit Country" in the 2025 Presidential Majors List for this European cocaine trafficking
- Staging area for transatlantic shipments - Boats use Venezuelan waters before heading east across the ocean
What Venezuela IS NOT:
- A fentanyl producer - No synthetic opioid production infrastructure exists in Venezuela
- A significant source of drugs for the U.S. market - Recent U.S. military boat strikes in Caribbean waters near Venezuela targeted eastbound Europe-bound cocaine shipments, not northbound U.S.-bound drugs
- A major drug manufacturing hub - Venezuela is a transit point, not a production center
- On the route to the United States - Maritime drug routes to the U.S. run north along the Pacific coast or through the Caribbean directly to Florida, not east through Venezuelan waters
Maritime Drug Trafficking: Understanding the Routes
Yes, Drugs DO Come by Boat - But Which Drugs and Where?
The U.S. Coast Guard regularly intercepts boats and semi-submersible vessels carrying drugs. However, it's critical to understand which drugs are transported by maritime routes and which destinations these vessels are heading toward.
Maritime Routes to the United States (Northbound)
Primary Drug: COCAINE
- Pacific Route: Colombian cocaine travels north along the Pacific coast toward Mexico and California using "go-fast" boats, semi-submersibles, and fully submersible vessels
- Caribbean Route: Cocaine shipments head north through the Caribbean toward Florida and the Gulf Coast
- Coast Guard Operations: U.S. Coast Guard intercepts tens of thousands of kilograms of cocaine annually in these maritime operations
- Why boats work for cocaine: Large volumes required; bulk shipments are economical
Key Point: These northbound maritime routes bring cocaine to the U.S., not fentanyl. Cocaine requires large shipments; fentanyl does not.
Maritime Routes from Venezuela (Eastbound to Europe)
Primary Drug: COCAINE (Europe-Bound)
- Transatlantic Route: Venezuelan waters and Caribbean islands serve as staging areas for Colombian cocaine destined for European markets
- Direction: EASTWARD - These boats head across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe and Africa, NOT north to the United States
- 2025 U.S. Boat Strikes: Recent U.S. military actions near Venezuela targeted these eastbound Europe-bound cocaine shipments
- Why Europe? Cocaine commands much higher prices in European markets than in the U.S., making the transatlantic journey profitable
Critical Clarification: The boats struck by U.S. forces near Venezuela were heading EAST to Europe, not north to the United States. These interdictions had nothing to do with U.S.-bound drug shipments or fentanyl.
Why Fentanyl Does NOT Come by Boat
- Extreme Potency: A kilogram of fentanyl is worth millions on the street - far more valuable than cocaine per unit weight
- Small Volumes Needed: The amount of fentanyl that fits in a backpack could supply a city for weeks
- Land Border is Easier: Fentanyl is smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico land border hidden in vehicles, through legal ports of entry, or carried by individuals
- No Need for Maritime Routes: The risk and complexity of boat/submarine operations are unnecessary when small amounts can be easily concealed in cars
- All U.S. Fentanyl = Mexico Production: Manufactured in Mexican labs near the border, then smuggled directly across
The Bottom Line on Maritime Trafficking
✓ Cocaine comes to the U.S. by boat (northbound routes)
✓ Cocaine goes to Europe by boat from Venezuelan waters (eastbound routes)
✗ Fentanyl does NOT come by boat - it crosses the land border from Mexico
✗ Venezuela is NOT a source of U.S.-bound drug shipments by sea
2025 Presidential Majors List
The Presidential Majors List identifies countries that are major drug producers or transit countries. The 2025 list includes 22 countries, categorized by their role in the global drug trade:
Primary Producers
- Afghanistan (opium/heroin)
- Bolivia (cocaine)
- Burma/Myanmar (opium/heroin, meth)
- Colombia (cocaine)
- Mexico (fentanyl, meth, heroin)
- Peru (cocaine)
Transit Countries
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Jamaica
- Laos
- Nicaragua
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Venezuela
Precursor Chemical Suppliers
- China (fentanyl precursors)
Note on Classification
Many countries serve multiple roles. Mexico, for example, is both a primary producer (fentanyl, methamphetamine) and the main transit route for Colombian cocaine entering the U.S.
Key Findings
Mexico Dominates U.S. Drug Supply
Nearly all illegal drugs consumed in the United States either originate in Mexico or transit through Mexico before entering the U.S. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) control the vast majority of drug trafficking into American communities.
The Fentanyl Crisis is 100% Mexico + China
Every dose of illicit fentanyl in the United States is manufactured in clandestine Mexican laboratories using precursor chemicals sourced from China. No other country is involved in fentanyl production for the U.S. market.
Colombian Cocaine Enters Through Mexico
While 90-98% of cocaine originates in Colombia, virtually all of it passes through Mexican territory before reaching the United States. The Mexican cartels have become the essential middlemen for the Colombian cocaine trade.
Venezuela's Maritime Routes Serve European Markets
Caribbean maritime routes through Venezuelan waters primarily facilitate cocaine shipments heading EAST across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe and Africa, not north to the United States. Recent U.S. military actions targeting boats in these waters interdicted eastbound Europe-bound cocaine, not U.S.-bound fentanyl as falsely claimed in some media reports. The direction matters: east to Europe, not north to America.