MDMA

The trafficking and abuse of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) pose a significant threat to the United States. MDMA is widely available in every region of the country, principally in large metropolitan areas but increasingly in smaller cities and towns. Reporting from law enforcement and public health agencies indicates that MDMA is now considered a mainstream drug in many areas. It--like other drugs--is widely available in nightclubs and schools, at parties and shopping malls, and on street corners and is often sold with other drugs such as crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.

The demand for MDMA appears to be increasing among both adults and adolescents; however, data from national-level prevalence studies indicate that the rate of increase has slowed. MDMA produced in several countries is available in U.S. markets, but the Netherlands and Belgium continue to be the source of most of the MDMA in the United States. Domestic MDMA production remains limited. MDMA transported from Europe is smuggled into the United States by couriers on commercial flights and, to a lesser extent, via mail services, either directly from European source countries or via transit countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and various Caribbean island nations. Most MDMA distribution occurs in urban and suburban areas; however, much of the increased distribution is occurring in midsize cities with large college populations. The primary market areas for MDMA are Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.

NDTS data show that 2.0 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide identify MDMA as their greatest drug threat. There were regional differences, however. More state and local law enforcement agencies in the Florida/Caribbean (5.7%), New England (4.9%), and New York/New Jersey regions (4.7%) identify MDMA as the greatest threat than do their counterparts in the Mid-Atlantic (2.1%), Great Lakes (1.8%), Pacific (0.9%), Southeast (0.8%), Southwest (0.7%), and West Central regions (0.6%).

The threat of MDMA trafficking and abuse is compounded by the short- and potential long-term effects of the drug. MDMA use causes increased heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, which can lead to muscle breakdown and kidney and cardiovascular system failure. Moreover, studies by Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and the National Institute of Mental Health indicate that MDMA may cause brain damage. Some MDMA users' bodies lose the ability to produce and release proper levels of serotonin--a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, memory, appetite, and sleep--which may lead to chronic depression.

Violence typically is not associated with MDMA use; however, there are occasional reports of violence associated with MDMA retail distributors, particularly if they also sell other drugs.

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Availability

MDMA is present throughout the country, and although reporting indicates that availability increased over the past year, the rate of increase appears to have slowed. Nearly all DEA Field Divisions describe MDMA as readily available, particularly in metropolitan areas, and several report that availability is increasing. More than 90 percent of the sources reporting to Pulse Check indicate that MDMA is widely or somewhat available. Of these sources, 64 percent report an increase in MDMA availability while 29 percent describe availability as stable.

According to NDTS data, 54.4 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide report that the availability of MDMA is high or medium, while 37.1 percent describe it as low. Agencies in the Florida/Caribbean (70.9%) and New England regions (68.8%) account for the greatest proportions reporting high or medium availability, while those in the Southwest (45.5%) and West Central regions (44.4%) account for the smallest.

Data from DEA's System to Retrieve Information from Drug Evidence (STRIDE) show a sharp increase in the number of MDMA dosage units seized between 2000 (3,341,649) and 2001 (5,575,432). Seizure data from USCS show a decrease in the number of MDMA dosage units seized, from 9.3 million MDMA tablets in FY2000 to 7.2 million in FY2001; however, one FY2000 seizure of 2.1 million tablets accounts for the disparity. The recording of MDMA seizures in FDSS data began in April 2001; figures are yet unavailable.¹⁹ 

The number of OCDETF investigations involving MDMA increased from 107 in FY2000 to 179 in FY2001. OCDETF indictments involving MDMA also rose from 104 in FY2000 to 193 in FY2001. Arrests for MDMA-related offenses are increasing, although the rate of arrests appears to have slowed. DEA arrests for MDMA-related offenses increased from 577 in 1999, to 1,530 in 2000, to 1,932 in 2001. DEA-initiated investigations against MDMA violators increased from 330 in 1999, to 791 in 2000, to 1,079 in 2001.

MDMA tablets vary in size, weight, and shape; however, DEA reports that MDMA tablets generally contain between 70 and 120 milligrams of MDMA. Nationally, the wholesale price of MDMA ranged from $5 to $17 per dosage unit, while the retail price ranged from $10 to $60 per dosage unit.

The availability of a highly pure form of MDMA called crystal MDMA appears to be very limited. DEA reports only two seizures of crystal MDMA, one in Philadelphia and one in Florida.

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Demand

MDMA use increased steadily over the past several years among both adults and adolescents. As with availability, however, the rate of increase has slowed, particularly among adolescents.

NHSDA data for 2001 indicate that 3.2 million persons aged 12 and older in the United States--1.4 percent of the population--reported past year use of MDMA. Because previous versions of the NHSDA did not track past year use of MDMA, it is not possible to show a trend for past year use. However, estimates of the number of individuals reporting lifetime use (use at least once in a user's lifetime) increased from 5.1 million in 1999, to 6.5 million in 2000, to 8.1 million in 2001. The rate of lifetime use among individuals 12 and older increased significantly over the same period, from 2.3, to 2.9, to 3.6 percent.

Among adults, MDMA use is rising. Data from the NHSDA show that lifetime MDMA use for young adults aged 18-25 was 7.6 percent in 1999, 9.7 percent in 2000, and 13.1 percent in 2001; the increase between 2000 and 2001 is considered significant. Lifetime use for adults aged 26 or older has trended upward during the same period from 1.5, to 1.8, to 2.0 percent. The rates of past year use in 2001, the first year for which such data are available, were 6.9 percent for those aged 18-25 and 0.4 percent for those 26 and older.

MTF data indicate a slower rate of increase in past year MDMA use for adults in 2001. The rate of past year MDMA use for college students (19-22) increased significantly from 5.5 percent in 1999 to 9.1 percent in 2000 but remained relatively stable at 9.2 percent in 2001. Similarly, past year MDMA use for all young adults (19-28) increased significantly from 3.6 percent in 1999 to 7.2 percent in 2000 and then remained statistically unchanged at 7.5 percent in 2001.

Among adolescents, too, national-level demand indicators show a slowed rate of increase in MDMA use in 2001. NHSDA data show that the percentage of adolescents aged 12-17 reporting lifetime MDMA use increased significantly from 1.8 percent in 1999, to 2.6 percent in 2000, to 3.2 percent in 2001. Past year use for those aged 12-17 was 2.4 percent in 2001, the first year for which past year data are available.

According to MTF data, past year MDMA use for eighth graders increased from 3.1 percent in 2000 to 3.5 percent in 2001 before declining to 2.9 percent in 2002. Likewise, rates of past year MDMA use for tenth graders increased from 5.4 to 6.2 percent before decreasing to 4.9 percent, while those for twelfth graders increased from 8.2 to 9.2 percent before declining to 7.4 percent. Of the declines in past year MDMA use between 2001 and 2002, only the decrease reported for tenth graders is statistically significant.

Data from PATS show a 43 percent increase in teens reporting lifetime MDMA use between 1999 (7%) and 2000 (10%); however, between 2000 and 2001 the rate rose only another 20 percent, to 12 percent reporting lifetime use. According to PATS, 10 percent of students in grades 7 through 12 reported past year MDMA use in 2001, the first year for which past year data are available.

The slower pace at which rates of use are increasing may be attributable to a rise in the perceived dangers of MDMA use among youths. According to PATS, the percentage of teens ranking MDMA as either the most or second most dangerous drug increased from 12 percent in 1999 to 15 percent in 2000. Furthermore, PATS data reveal that in 2001, 42 percent of teens saw great risk in trying MDMA once or twice, while 72 percent saw great risk in using MDMA regularly. Data from MTF show a statistically significant increase between 2001 and 2002 in the percentage of twelfth graders who perceive great risk in trying MDMA once or twice (45.7% to 52.2%).

As the number of MDMA users has increased, so too have the consequences associated with use of the drug. DAWN data indicate that the estimated number of ED mentions for MDMA increased from 2,850 in 1999, to 4,511 in 2000, to 5,542 in 2001. Although the number of ED mentions has increased, the rate of ED mentions for MDMA remains the lowest among the major drug categories at only 2 mentions per 100,000 population in 2001.

DAWN data further show that the consequences of MDMA use are affecting older age groups, despite the prevalence of MDMA use among young adults and adolescents. More than three-quarters (76.9%) of DAWN ED mentions for MDMA in 2001 were attributed to patients aged 25 and under. Nonetheless between 2000 and 2001 significant increases in ED mentions for MDMA use were noted in patients aged 26-29 (132.2%) and in those aged 35 and older (34.0%).

Although TEDS does not monitor treatment admissions for MDMA as a primary substance of abuse, reporting from epidemiologic sources suggests that the number of patients seeking treatment for MDMA use is increasing. CEWG reports an increase in the number of MDMA users admitted to drug treatment in Denver, Minneapolis, and Texas during 2001.

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Production

Most MDMA consumed in the United States is produced in the Netherlands and Belgium. DEA reports that criminal groups operating in these two countries produce most of the MDMA available in the United States. MDMA production also occurs in Poland but is limited. Most of the MDMA produced in that country is consumed in Europe; however, U.S. law enforcement agencies have identified Poland as the source of limited quantities of MDMA in New York, Chicago and, possibly, Las Vegas. Criminal groups in Germany and the United Kingdom also produce MDMA to varying degrees, but the availability in U.S. markets of MDMA produced in these countries appears to be limited.

MDMA is produced in Canada primarily for consumption in that country, although it is likely that some MDMA produced in Canada is smuggled into the United States. DEA reports that MDMA laboratories have been seized in Québec, Ontario, and British Columbia within the past year, and the RCMP reports that the total potential yield of MDMA from laboratories discovered in Canada since 1999 exceeds 10 million tablets. The smuggling of MDMA from Europe into Canada is a far greater problem in that country than domestic production, however.

There are indications that traffickers operating laboratories in Asia and South America (particularly Brazil and Colombia) may be producing MDMA in greater quantities. Furthermore, law enforcement in California notes that some methamphetamine producers in Mexico are becoming involved in MDMA production as well.

Domestic MDMA production remains limited. Relatively few MDMA laboratories have been seized, and of those seized, most were capable of producing only small amounts of the drug. Data from NCLSS indicate that 13 MDMA laboratories were seized in the United States in 1999, 8 in 2000, and 9 in 2001. No DEA Division, HIDTA, or NDTS responding agency indicated that domestically produced MDMA was available in any significant quantities in its jurisdiction. According to NDTS data, just 2.3 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide report that MDMA is produced in their areas.

Transportation

The smuggling of MDMA into the United States occurs via several transportation methods and routes. From Europe, MDMA most often is smuggled into the United States by couriers on commercial flights either directly from European source countries or via transit countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and various Caribbean island nations. MDMA also is transported from and through the same source and transit countries by mail services, although use of this method appears to have decreased greatly over the past year. MDMA is increasingly smuggled into the United States overland via couriers on foot and in private vehicles crossing the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada. Israeli and Russian criminal groups control most MDMA transportation to the United States; however, Colombian, Dominican, and U.S. independent distributors have become increasingly prominent in the transportation of MDMA to the United States.

MDMA couriers on commercial flights from Europe often tape between 2.5 and 5.0 kilograms of MDMA tablets to their bodies and smuggle additional amounts (up to 10 kg) in hidden compartments within their luggage. Couriers on commercial flights depart from nearly every major European city en route to the United States. Typical arrival airports in the United States are John F. Kennedy, Miami, and Newark International Airports.

Colombian criminal groups often transport MDMA from Europe to the United States via Panama. From Panama couriers on commercial flights transport MDMA either directly to the United States or to Mexico, from where it is smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border. According to DEA reports, Dominican criminal groups have become increasingly involved in transporting MDMA from Europe to the United States via the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

The DEA Caribbean Field Division reports that European criminal groups transport MDMA from Europe to the United States via Caribbean countries, particularly those with ties to the Netherlands such as Aruba, Curaçao, and the Netherlands Antilles. DEA reporting indicates that MDMA couriers on commercial flights transport the MDMA from Europe to the Caribbean and then either directly to the United States or to Mexico for overland transport. Similarly, European criminal groups sometimes use Suriname in South America as an MDMA transit country.

Transport of MDMA produced in or transported through Canada most often occurs via couriers crossing the U.S.-Canada border in private vehicles. EPIC seizure data indicate that these couriers typically transit the POEs at Buffalo, Champlain, and Detroit.

Once smuggled into the United States, MDMA is transported to the primary market areas of Los Angeles, Miami, and New York as well as to smaller cities throughout the country.

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Distribution

Nearly all DEA Field Divisions and HIDTAs, as well as sources in most Pulse Check sites, indicate that MDMA is distributed in their areas and that distribution appears to be increasing. Most MDMA distribution occurs in urban and suburban areas; however, distribution appears to be expanding to areas in which colleges and universities are located, such as Billings, Montana; Madison, Wisconsin; and Lawrence, Kansas.

Law enforcement reporting indicates that Israeli criminal groups are the predominant MDMA wholesale distributors, supplying MDMA to midlevel distributors in large cities throughout the country. Other wholesalers, including Asian, Dominican, Mexican, and Russian criminal groups, distribute MDMA but only in a limited number of cities. For example, law enforcement reporting indicates that Asian wholesale distributors are active in Miami, New York, and Seattle; Dominican wholesalers distribute in Miami, Newark, and New York; and Russian MDMA wholesalers maintain a significant presence in Atlanta, New York, and Miami.

Most of the same criminal groups engaged in wholesale MDMA distribution are midlevel distributors as well. Other midlevel distributors were identified as African American, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region, and Mexican, primarily in the Florida/Caribbean, Southwest, and West Central regions. Wholesalers sell MDMA to midlevel distributors in quantities of at least 1,000 tablets, typically called "boats." Midlevel distributors often sell tablets to retail distributors by the "jar," a quantity of 100 tablets.

Independent MDMA distributors, typically college age Caucasians, dominate the retail-level distribution of MDMA throughout the country, although gangs have become increasingly involved in retail distribution of MDMA. Of those DEA Field Divisions that identified prominent MDMA retail distributors in their areas, most identified Caucasian independent dealers. Law enforcement reporting is increasingly identifying the involvement of gangs in retail distribution of MDMA. Asian gangs have been identified as retail MDMA distributors primarily in the West and Hispanic gangs primarily in the East. African American independent dealers and gangs have emerged as retail MDMA distributors within the past 2 years in eastern states such as Alabama, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Other retail distributors identified are the Hells Angels and Pagans outlaw motorcycle gangs and Russian gangs in Florida and New Jersey, Dominican criminal groups in New York, and Colombian criminal groups in Florida.

Law enforcement reporting indicates that most MDMA retail distribution occurs at college campuses, raves, dance clubs, bars, gyms, and high schools. Furthermore, several agencies report that a growing number of retail distributors of other drugs--including crack cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin--are distributing MDMA on streets and in open-air drug markets.

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Primary Market Areas

Reporting from law enforcement and public health agencies of widespread use and distribution of MDMA, as well as data from studies that gauge the consequences of drug use, indicates that Los Angeles, Miami, and New York are the primary market areas for MDMA in the United States.

Figure 10. Primary Market Areas: MDMA

Los Angeles. Reporting from law enforcement and public health agencies indicates that MDMA distribution and use in Los Angeles are widespread and increasing. The DEA Los Angeles Field Division reports that use of MDMA is high, while the Los Angeles HIDTA notes that use is increasing sharply. CEWG also reports that MDMA use in Los Angeles is increasing. According to DAWN, however, the consequences of MDMA use in Los Angeles are decreasing. DAWN data indicate that the estimated number of ED mentions for MDMA in Los Angeles decreased significantly from 2000 (177) to 2001 (142).

Israeli criminal groups control most wholesale MDMA distribution in Los Angeles, although Russian wholesale distributors are prominent in the area as well. Independent distributors, often Caucasians, primarily control midlevel and retail distribution of MDMA. Retail distribution in Los Angeles most often occurs at raves, nightclubs, and colleges.

Wholesale quantities of MDMA are commonly distributed from Los Angeles to markets in the Great Lakes, Pacific, Southeast, Southwest, and West Central regions as well as in New Jersey and Virginia.

Miami. MDMA use in Miami is relatively high and appears to be increasing. The South Florida HIDTA reports that MDMA use in Miami is increasing sharply, and CEWG reports that among teens MDMA use surpassed cocaine use for the first time in 2000. DAWN data show a corresponding increase in the estimated number of ED mentions. ED mentions for MDMA use in Miami increased more than 75 percent from 105 in 2000 to 184 in 2001.

Wholesale MDMA distribution in Miami is controlled primarily by Israeli criminal groups, although Asian and Russian criminal groups are active in the area as well. DEA and HIDTA reporting indicates that midlevel MDMA distribution in Miami is not controlled by any single group. Rather, independent distributors as well as criminal groups of Asian, Caucasian, Colombian, Israeli, Mexican, and Russian origin supply retail distributors, who are typically Caucasian independent dealers. Retail distribution most often occurs in Miami nightclubs and raves.

Wholesale quantities of MDMA are distributed from Miami to markets in the Florida/Caribbean, Great Lakes, and Southeast regions; to markets in Kansas, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Texas, and Virginia; and to the primary market area of Los Angeles.

New York. New York is possibly the largest MDMA market in the United States, and wholesale quantities of MDMA are distributed from New York to markets throughout the United States. According to DEA and HIDTA reporting, the level of MDMA use in the city is very high and increasing. Data from DAWN, however, indicate that the estimated number of ED mentions for MDMA use in New York declined from 200 in 2000 to 172 in 2001.

Wholesale MDMA distribution in New York is controlled primarily by Israeli criminal groups; Russian wholesale distribution groups are also prominent. Midlevel distributors usually are independent dealers but also include Asian, Israeli, and Russian criminal groups as well as members of traditional organized crime. Retail distributors in New York typically are Caucasian teenagers or young adults.

MDMA is distributed from New York to markets in the Florida/Caribbean, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, New England, New York/New Jersey, Pacific, and Southeast regions; to markets in Texas; and to the primary market area of Los Angeles.

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Key Developments

Traffickers of drugs such as cocaine and heroin have become increasingly involved in MDMA trafficking in some areas. HIDTA, Pulse Check, and local law enforcement reporting indicates that cocaine and crack dealers in Florida have expanded their operations to include MDMA because of the drug's profit potential. Similarly, reporting from the DEA New York Field Division and Pulse Check sources indicates that MDMA is being distributed along with cocaine and heroin in New York. The Northern California HIDTA reports that many of the criminal groups distributing MDMA in its area are polydrug traffickers, and Pulse Check sources in Washington, D.C., report that crack cocaine dealers in the city have become increasingly involved in MDMA sales.

The use of couriers who internally carry MDMA into the country, although still relatively limited, appears to be increasing. The smuggling of MDMA via this method emerged in 2000 with just a few seizures per year. EPIC reports, however, that since July 2002 both the frequency of seizures involving this method and the volume of MDMA seized per incident have increased. According to EPIC, recent seizures have involved couriers swallowing as many as 130 pellets containing between 40 and 50 MDMA tablets each. Seizures of MDMA smuggled internally largely have involved Dominican and Spanish couriers traveling on commercial flights from Western Europe.

Projections

MDMA will become available in more areas of the country, particularly in midsize and smaller cities. But the overall level of MDMA use may increase only slightly or begin to stabilize. National-level drug prevalence data indicate that the rate of MDMA use has slowed, indicating that the sharp yearly increases that began in the mid-1990s may be ending.

Mexican criminal groups appear to be expanding their role in MDMA production and transportation. DEA reporting indicates that MDMA production in Mexico increased in 2002 and that Mexican methamphetamine producers have been consulting with European MDMA producers regarding production methods so that they can begin producing MDMA in addition to methamphetamine. Also, numerous reports from federal, state, and local law enforcement in 2002 indicate that MDMA is increasingly being transshipped through Mexico en route to the United States from Europe. Such increases suggest that Europe-Mexico could become a primary route for transporting MDMA to the United States.

End Note

19. The STRIDE data set contains information on the total cost, weight, and purity or potency of illicit drugs purchased as well as the date and location of the purchase. There are some overlaps in reporting between STRIDE and USCS seizure statistics.

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