Drug Trafficking Statistics 2023-2024

• Illicit drugs represent a multibillion-dollar global market, with an estimated value of more than $400 billion annually
• Drug trafficking accounts for approximately 80% of the global illicit drug business
• Trafficking of cocaine, heroin, cannabis, and amphetamine-type stimulants makes up the bulk of the global
• Around 1 in 6 of the world’s population aged 15-64 take illicit drugs annually.
• The United Nations estimates that at least 193,000 people died due to drug use in 2017.
• The main illicit drug trafficking routes are between countries in North America,

Drug trafficking continues to be a major problem across the world, and the numbers associated with it only keep growing. In 2023, the number of drug traffickers and the drugs being trafficked have both seen a major increase in comparison to previous years. To understand the scale of drug trafficking in relation to other criminal activity, it is important to analyze the available data on the latest numbers from 2023.

According to a report from the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), the amount of cocaine seized by law enforcement agencies in Europe increased by 62% between 2017 to 2023 (Source: https://www.emcdda.europa.eu/data/stats2023#2). This is indicative of the increase of drug trafficking activities in Europe, highlighting the growing severity of the drug problem and the need for better enforcement mechanisms. This statistic shows that drug trafficking in Europe is becoming increasingly organized and is becoming a bigger problem, which is cause for concern.

A report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) found that the amount of money generated by drug trafficking activities in 2023 was estimated to be around $1.7 trillion (Source: https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/statistics/Statistics_2023.pdf). This large sum of money is indicative of the sheer scale of drug trafficking activities, and it serves as a stark reminder of the vast resources that are involved in these illicit activities. This statistic shows the large economic cost associated with drug trafficking, which emphasizes the need for sustained efforts to combat this problem.

Another statistic from a UNODC report shows that the number of people killed due to drug trafficking activities increased by 10% in 2023 compared to 2017 (Source: https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/statistics/Statistics_2023.pdf). This is indicative of the growing severity of the drug problem and highlights the need for better enforcement measures and prevention efforts. This statistic shows that drug trafficking is having a devastating effect on lives, which is further evidence of why there needs to be a comprehensive response to the issue.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, drug trafficking continues to increase worldwide. In 2023, the estimated value of the global drug market is predicted to reach $426 billion. This is a significant increase compared to 2018’s estimated market value of $324 billion. This significant increase in global drug trafficking indicates a growing prevalence of drug abuse across the world and poses a risk to public health, communities, and economies. The illicit drug trade destabilizes countries and regions and can lead to serious social and economic consequences. This increase also raises concerns about the growth of criminal organizations that depend on drug trafficking for their profits.

Key Drug Trafficking Stats

1. The number of drug-related arrests, seizures, and convictions in the United States highlights the ongoing challenges that law enforcement faces in combating drug trafficking. (source: https://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/resources/drug-trafficking-statistics-in-the-united-states.html)
2. The 2022 UNODC World Drug Report is not yet available, but preliminary information suggests that drug trafficking remains a major global issue. (source: https://idpc.net/alerts/2021/11/drug-trafficking-statistics-2022-unodc-world-drug-report-2022)
3. Estimated profits and expenses from drug trafficking demonstrate the significant financial incentives that drive drug trafficking operations. (source: https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2022-01/DEA%202022%20Financial%20Investigations%20Report.pdf)
4. The United Nations’ Global Illicit Drug Trends 2022 report highlights the persistent and widespread nature of drug trafficking, as well as the need for international cooperation to address the problem. (source: https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/gloti/GLOTI_2022_web.pdf)
5. Drug-related deaths, treatment admissions, and emergency room visits in the United States demonstrate the significant harm that drug trafficking causes to individuals and communities. (source: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/drug-trafficking-numbers-understanding-scope-problem)
6. The impact of drug trafficking on young people in the United States is disproportionately harmful and affects marginalized and vulnerable populations. (source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Drug-Trafficking-and-Americas-Youth.pdf)
7. Drug trafficking statistics in the UK, including the number of drug seizures, arrests, and convictions, demonstrate the ongoing challenges that law enforcement faces in combating drug trafficking. (source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/drug-misuse-findings-from-the-2022-to-2023-csew/drug-trafficking-statistics-in-the-united-kingdom)
8. Global drug trafficking statistics indicate that drug trafficking is a highly profitable and widespread industry. (source: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/global-drug-trafficking-industry-snapshot)
9. Drug trafficking remains a major issue in Central and South America, with significant impact on public health and security. (source: https://www.insightcrime.org/news/analysis/drug-trafficking-central-south-america-2022/)
10. The opioid epidemic in the United States is largely driven by illegal drug trafficking, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl contributing to a significant increase in overdose deaths. (source: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/fentanyl.html)
11. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on drug trafficking, including disruptions to supply chains and changes in demand for different types of drugs. (source: https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2022/01/20/drug-trafficking-and-the-pandemic-a-look-at-trends-and-impacts/)