The cocaine market is the fastest growing of all drugs, according to the INCB
The global cocaine market is the fastest growing among all drugs, according to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), which attributes the expansion to increased production in Colombia and growing demand in regions such as Africa and Asia.
TL;DR
- The global cocaine market is the fastest-growing drug market worldwide.
- Production increased by 34% in 2023, exceeding 3,700 tons, largely due to increased cultivation and processing in Colombia.
- While Europe and North America remain major markets, cocaine routes now reach all global regions, including Africa and Asia.
- Seizures in Western and Central Europe surpassed those in North America for the fifth consecutive year.
- Cocaine consumption has risen, with an estimated 17 to 25 million users globally between 2013 and 2023, showing expansion into Africa and Asia.
- Africa is experiencing a significant increase in cocaine consumption and treatment for addiction.
- Sophisticated concealment techniques, such as chemical alteration and integration into materials, are being used to evade detection.
- The impact of increased drug trafficking is particularly evident in Ecuador, marked by a dramatic rise in violence and homicides.