Cocaine is one of the most widely used and trafficked illicit drugs in the world, with an estimated global market value of $88 billion in 2018. The United States is the largest consumer of cocaine, accounting for about 36% of the global demand. But where does all this cocaine come from, and how does it enter the country?
The Origin and Route of Cocaine
Cocaine is derived from the coca plant, which grows mainly in the Andean region of South America, especially in Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. The coca leaves are harvested, processed, and refined into cocaine hydrochloride, the white powder that is snorted, injected, or smoked by users.
The cocaine is then smuggled across borders by various criminal organizations, using different methods and routes. Some of the common ways of transporting cocaine include hiding it in cargo containers, vehicles, boats, planes, submarines, drones, or even human couriers. The cocaine is often mixed with other substances, such as baking soda, flour, or fentanyl, to increase its volume and potency.
The main route of cocaine trafficking to the United States is through Central America and Mexico, where the drug is transferred from one cartel to another, until it reaches the U.S.-Mexico border. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Mexico is the primary source of cocaine entering the United States, followed by Colombia, Guatemala, and Honduras.
The Role of Los Angeles
Once the cocaine crosses the border, it is distributed to various cities and states across the country, depending on the demand and supply. According to a recent report by the DEA, the answer is Los Angeles. Los Angeles is the largest city in California and the second-largest in the U.S. It is also a major gateway for drug trafficking, both domestically and internationally.
Los Angeles has several factors that make it an ideal hub for cocaine smuggling, such as:
- Its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border, which is about 130 miles away.
- Its large and diverse population, which provides a high demand and a low risk of detection.
- Its extensive transportation network, which includes the busiest port in the U.S., the second-busiest airport in the U.S., and several highways and railways that connect to other parts of the country.
- Its presence of various gangs and criminal groups, such as the Mexican Mafia, the Crips, the Bloods, and the MS-13, which are involved in the distribution and sale of cocaine.
According to the DEA, Los Angeles is the primary source of cocaine for other regions in the U.S., such as the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, the Northeast, and Hawaii. The DEA also reported that the cocaine availability and purity in Los Angeles have increased in recent years, while the prices have decreased, indicating a high supply and a low enforcement.
The Consequences of Cocaine Trafficking
The cocaine trafficking in Los Angeles has serious consequences for the city and the state, such as:
- The increase in violence and crime, as rival gangs and cartels compete for territory and market share.
- The increase in addiction and overdose, as more people use cocaine and are exposed to its harmful effects.
- The increase in health and social costs, as cocaine users suffer from physical, mental, and emotional problems, and require treatment and rehabilitation.
- The increase in environmental and economic damage, as cocaine production and transportation cause deforestation, pollution, and corruption in the source countries.
Conclusion
Cocaine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug that is smuggled from South America to the United States, mainly through Mexico. Los Angeles is the cocaine smuggling capital of California, and one of the most important hubs for drug trafficking in the country. The city has several factors that facilitate the cocaine trade, such as its location, population, transportation, and gangs. The cocaine trafficking in Los Angeles has negative impacts on the city, the state, and the world, such as violence, addiction, health, and environment. Therefore, it is imperative to combat the cocaine trafficking in Los Angeles, and to reduce the demand and supply of cocaine in the U.S. and globally.
