Production

Domestic methamphetamine production is decreasing; however, increased methamphetamine production by Mexican DTOs and criminal groups in Mexico--the principal foreign source of methamphetamine--appears to be sustaining or slightly increasing domestic wholesale supplies. National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System (NCLSS) data show that the number of reported methamphetamine laboratory seizures decreased slightly from 2003 (10,199) to 2004 (9,895) (seeTable4). This decrease, the first reported decline since NCLSS became fully operational in 2000, is a strong indication of a real decrease in the number of operational domestic laboratories because it occurred even as nationwide participation in NCLSS--a voluntary reporting system for most state and local agencies--increased. Moreover, preliminary NCLSS data indicate a significant decrease in methamphetamine laboratory seizures in 2005. Decreased domestic methamphetamine production is further evidenced by NCLSS data that show a sharp decrease in seizures of methamphetamine superlabs--laboratories capable of producing at least 10 pounds of methamphetamine per production cycle--since 2001.
 

Source: El Paso Intelligence Center National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System.

Increased restrictions on cold preparations and other medicines containing pseudoephedrine in many states have contributed to sharp declines in the number of small-scale methamphetamine laboratories in those states. Similarly, restricted importation of bulk pseudoephedrine from Canada since January 2003 has resulted in significant declines in the number of domestic methamphetamine superlabs. More states are expected to enact precursor chemical control legislation; this will cause domestic methamphetamine production to further decline, particularly in small-scale laboratories.

Methamphetamine production by Mexican DTOs and criminal groups in Mexico has offset recent declines in domestic production, and the ability of these DTOs and criminal groups to offset further decreases in domestic production seems assured, according to intelligence reports. The increase in methamphetamine production in Mexico is dependent upon Mexican DTOs and criminal groups acquiring large quantities of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Currently, they are reportedly obtaining these chemicals from criminal groups in Asia, who have been exporting massive quantities of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to Mexico since 2000, far exceeding the amount needed for legitimate use in the country.