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Origins Of Crystal Meth in USA

Crystal Meth, also known as methamphetamine in USA, is a synthetic amphetamine-type stimulant with a high potential for abuse and addiction. Illegally produced meth typically appears as a white, odorless, bitter-tasting crystalline powder that dissolves easily in water or alcohol. The crystallized form of the drug is often referred to as “ice,” “crystal,” or “glass” due to its clear, chunky crystals that resemble these substances. Meth in pill form is sometimes called “uppers” or “yaba,” which means “crazy pill” in the Thai language and is a tablet of meth combined with caffeine. Other slang terms for meth include “speed,” “tweak,” “go-fast,” “crank,” “rocket fuel,” and “tina.”

Meth can be snorted, smoked, injected, or orally ingested. In 2020, the DEA reported an increase in methamphetamine pills. Methamphetamine is known to lead to psychosis, violence, impaired cognitive skills, and life-altering addiction

Meth’s Evolution

The development of methamphetamine has a complex history. The first known synthesis of methamphetamine took place in the USA in 1885, when ephedrine, a chemical stimulant found in the ephedra plant, was synthesized into methamphetamine by a Californian scientist. Further advancements in the production of methamphetamine occurred in 1919 when Akira Ogata discovered a method to transform ephedrine into a crystal-like form, laying the foundation for the creation of crystal meth.

Amphetamine, a related stimulant, was first utilized in the United States as a nasal decongestant in 1929. The over-the-counter sale of the Benzedrine inhaler, containing amphetamine, was prevalent during the 1930s and 1940s. During World War II, methamphetamine was used by pilots to enhance their endurance during long missions. Military forces of various countries, including Japan, Germany, Britain, and the United States, supplied methamphetamine to soldiers to improve alertness and willingness to take risks.

In the 1950s, legal production of methamphetamine began in the United States, with the drug being used for weight control, increased energy, and stamina enhancement by truck drivers and athletes.

In the 1980s, regulatory actions by the U.S. government led to the illegal use of pseudoephedrine, an ingredient in over-the-counter cold medications, in the production of methamphetamine. The rise of the internet in the 1990s facilitated the spread of methamphetamine manufacturing recipes, leading to the establishment of small labs across the country, often unnoticed in rural areas.

The devastating impact of methamphetamine on rural communities became evident, with an estimated 12 million people, equivalent to 4.9 percent of the U.S. population over the age of twelve, having experimented with meth by 2004. Recognizing the urgent need for intervention, policymakers focused on regulating the sale of cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine in an effort to curb methamphetamine production.

How Is Crystal Meth Getting Here in USA?

The trafficking of crystal meth into the United States has evolved significantly in recent years. With the decline of small clandestine laboratories, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) based in Mexico have taken the lead in methamphetamine production. As a result, there has been a decrease in domestic methamphetamine laboratory incidents, but an increase in seizures at the U.S.A-Mexico border. The DEA reports that in 2019, many of the domestic methamphetamine laboratories seized were small-capacity production labs referred to as ‘one-pot’ or ‘shake and bake’ operations.

Crystal meth seizures are pervasive across the USA. Wholesale methamphetamine distribution is controlled by Mexican TCOs, while both Mexican and domestic criminal groups typically manage retail distribution within the United States. Notably, the majority of methamphetamine enters the United States through the Southwest Border (SWB). From 2018 to 2019, methamphetamine seizures along the SWB increased by 74%, with nationwide seizures increasing by 77% during the same period.

While methamphetamine precursors are often transported from China and India via maritime shipments, finished methamphetamine is commonly trafficked overland along the SWB. Traffickers utilize various methods to transport and conceal methamphetamine, including human couriers, parcel services, and commercial conveyances. Additionally, privately owned vehicles are commonly used to transport multi-kilogram shipments of methamphetamine, with fuel tank concealment being a widely employed technique. Moreover, traffickers also hide methamphetamine in tires and other natural voids within vehicles as popular methods of smuggling methamphetamine and other contraband into the United States.