NCJ Number
213285
Date Published
September 2005
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This report presents data on illicit drug trafficking in Canada for 2004.
Abstract
The data indicate that synthetic drug manufacturing, ecstasy, and methamphetamine in particular have reached significant proportions; the rising popularity of methamphetamine is of concern. The demand for cocaine remains strong and stable, and large-scale importations of the drug continue. Major enforcement operations concluded in 2004 exposed relationships between Canadian organized crime elements and Colombian cartels; this involved conspiracies to import multi-hundred kilogram shipments of cocaine on a regular basis. The volume of marijuana seizures indicated its use was a particular problem in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. The dismantling of residential marijuana growing operations continues to occupy drug enforcement resources across Canada. The marijuana trade generated millions of dollars in proceeds that were infiltrating the Canadian economy. Afghanistan continues to be the world's largest producer of opium, the precursor of heroin. In 2004, 68 kg of heroin were seized in Canada, and an additional 20 kg were seized abroad en route to Canada. Moderate-sized shipments of drugs, including marijuana, methamphetamine, and ecstasy that originated in Canada were seized in Japan. Smaller seizures originating in Canada were also made in Taiwan and Korea. The information presented in this report was based on intelligence from investigations and seizures conducted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Canada Border Security Agency, and various Canadian enforcement agencies and departments involved in drug law enforcement. Extensive tables