Of course. What a question!
I think the entire thing, in order and as presented, is worth the read. But then I would say that huh i.e. it's no secret the entire business fascinates me.
And they do go to a lot of trouble and provide much detail. You being you and all: you'll probably get it all in a single read! Trust me: the older you get the harder it is to concentrate and absorb stuff!
I already mentioned (somewhere above) those particular things that jumped out at me upon my first read.
More general observations though:
The Cocaine business is alive and well and steady as she goes really. Always comforting and a good sign. The usual suspects still the producers. The usual cunts still responsible for cutting it. You get the picture. Matter of fact: it was given more attention and detail in last year's report than this one. And which I will admit was a little disappointing (usually it's that section I head to first but resisted the temptation this year!
).
Methamphetamine production, distribution, purity, and use seems to be barreling ahead like a freight train. And from what I gather: we're not talking about your average village idiot that's decided to get into the meth. business either. I get the impression there's some pretty accomplished chemists around that are consistently innovative. One thing that just came to mind: it sort of puts paid to the idea that one could start a little home industry producing the shit i.e. most of the one-pot-home-bake stuff is good for a few grams at best.
Not sure what to make of the Heroin statistics i.e. decreased usage and deaths in most places. Obviously I'm in no position to argue with the experts. But I've a funny feeling that those statistics are slightly skewed in the sense that Fentanyl is indeed a huge, and growing, problem. Many have noticed this above and commented on it.
The weed business took me by surprise overall. If you just look at the statistics and the map of the USA you'll see what I mean. Spend enough time on these forums and it's easy to make the assumption that it's really only found in a those few States where they're relaxing the laws. But it's all over the show. And of course: it's not enough to just have weed i.e. now it seems as though there's a competition to see who can produce the most potent (THC).
The money laundering stuff was interesting. Technology strikes again! Love the part where some dudes have their own ATM's into which they can deposit cash that turns to Bitcoin! But you'll get to that.
Bear in mind: the COVID part is really only covered for half the report as I recall. I thought these reports ran from calendar year to calendar year but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Anyway. The above also just off the top of my head this morning i.e. been out of the loop for two or so days thanks to some or the other Internet shit going on here with Google or whatever (only came right late yesterday and trying to catch up now on notifications).
Enjoy.
And obviously your comments and insights would be highly appreciated and relevant.
Goes without saying of course: loads of other very interesting stuff on their website. Don't be scared. Trust me. And hard as this may be for some here to swallow or as unpalatable a statement as this may be to some: I don't think the DEA is necessarily the enemy. Having read through a lot of their stuff I've come the conclusion that without these Agents busting their chops and balls and putting their lives in danger in dealing with some choice individuals: it'd be like going back to the days of the Wild West. And for damn sure there'd be a whole lot more Fentanyl, and the equivalent or worse when it comes to these new research chemicals, on the streets (in that report there's a new benzo. that's turned up that's just as powerful and just as deadly) (and that, I suppose, will have the entire site here downloading the report!
). Think about that one for a minute. If you look at the economics as detailed: it's by far more lucrative than any naturally derived product. And (dare I say the Cocaine industry aside) the producers don't give a fuck about anything other than profit.
www.dea.gov
