WASHINGTON D.C., United States – January 2021: The quantities of methamphetamine seized by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) more than doubled within only two years from 38,713 kg in FY 2018 to 80,601 kg in FY 2020. The number of drug seizure events increased only slightly between these two years, with a rise from 5,091 events in 2018 to 5,907 events in 2020 (see Figure 1 below).

In February 2020, the DEA launched Operation Crystal Shield, resulting in the seizure of more than 27,216 kg of methamphetamine. Moreover, extensive methamphetamine manufacture has been reported in Mexico and the United States, which might contribute to the strong increase in methamphetamine seizures.

Figure 1: US CBP methamphetamine seizures, FY 2018 – FY 2020*

Source: US Border Patrol (USBP) and Office of Field Operations (OFO).

Note: *The years refer to fiscal (FY), running from October to September of the subsequent year (e.g. The 2020 fiscal year runs from 1.10.2019-30.09.2020). The category includes both methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine.

For more information, please see:

CBP Drug Seizure Statistics

Global Synthetic Drug Assessment 2020 – Regional Overviews - North America

DEA 2020 Year in Review