Drug Enforcement Administration Drug Enforcement Administration NDTA National Drug Threat Assessment 2024: UNCLASSIFIED MAY 2024 / DEA-DCT-DIR-010-24

### Summary of the 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) The 2024 National Drug Threat Assessment (NDTA) by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides a comprehensive analysis of the current threats posed by illicit drugs in the United States. It focuses on the increasing dominance of synthetic drugs and the operations of major drug cartels. #### Key Points 1. **Shift to Synthetic Drugs** – The U.S. faces its most severe drug crisis, driven by a shift from plant-based drugs to synthetic drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine. These drugs are responsible for nearly all fatal drug poisonings. 2. **Major Drug Cartels** – The Sinaloa and Jalisco Cartels are central to the drug crisis, operating global supply chains from precursor chemicals to distribution networks. They utilize Chinese chemical suppliers and money laundering organizations to manufacture and distribute drugs. 3. **Fentanyl** – Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat, causing nearly 38,000 deaths in the first six months of 2023 alone. The cartels manufacture and distribute fentanyl in pill and powder forms, often mixing it with other drugs, increasing the risk of fatal overdoses. 4. **Methamphetamine** – Methamphetamine production has surged, with the cartels producing purer and cheaper versions. The drug’s spread from western to eastern U.S. markets has exacerbated the crisis. 5. **Distribution and Marketing** – The cartels use sophisticated methods, including social media and encrypted communications, to market and distribute drugs. This makes detection challenging and contributes to widespread drug poisonings. 6. **Cartel Operations** – The cartels operate extensive networks within the U.S., with major hubs in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. They use various methods, including tunnels and corrupt officials, to smuggle drugs into the country. 7. **DEA’s Response** – The DEA has launched targeted operations like Operation Overdrive and Operation Last Mile to combat these threats. These efforts focus on dismantling cartel operations and preventing drug trafficking. 8. **Emerging Threats** – New synthetic drugs like nitazenes and the combination of fentanyl with xylazine (“”tranq””) are emerging threats. These mixtures complicate overdose treatments and increase the risk of severe health issues. 9. **Global Reach** – The cartels’ influence extends globally, with operations in Europe, Asia, and other regions. They leverage international connections for drug trafficking and money laundering. 10. **Public Safety and Health** – The NDTA emphasizes the need for a coordinated response involving law enforcement, policymakers, and public health officials to address the synthetic drug crisis and protect public safety. ### Conclusion The 2024 NDTA underscores the urgent need to address the synthetic drug epidemic driven by powerful cartels. By understanding and targeting these threats, the DEA aims to reduce drug-related fatalities and dismantle the opera — ISBN13: 9798329341577