Cocaine: Cocaine and crack cocaine continue to be among the most widely encountered drugs throughout Georgia. Bulk quantities of powder cocaine are usually transported into the state and then converted into crack by the local wholesaler or retailer. Primary source areas for cocaine are Texas and California. While traffickers utilize several transportation modes, prominent methods of smuggling are the use of private or rental vehicles, and of recent tractor-trailers, with increasingly sophisticated hidden compartments, travel routes, and countersurveillance techniques. Colombian cocaine traffickers use the Ports of Wilmington, Charleston, and Savannah as cocaine importation points, and these areas remain major transshipment centers for cocaine destined for Atlanta, other East Coast drug markets, and Europe. During the past year, several organizations (Mexican and Dominican) have been identified which are responsible for bringing loads of 200 to 300 kilograms of cocaine to Atlanta for local consumption as well as transshipment to other parts of the region and East Coast cities.

Heroin: Although heroin trafficking has been relatively low and stable throughout most of Georgia, there are regions where heroin abuse appears to be climbing. The sources of supply reportedly are located in Chicago, New York, and the Southwest Boarder. On August 2, 2002, inspectors of the United States Customs Service seized 8.2 kilograms of heroin at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, which resulted in a controlled delivery to New York where $8,000 was seized and one violator arrested.

Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine continues to increase in popularity and has become more prevalent throughout Georgia, leading to a significant number of arrests and seizures throughout the state. This trend is particularly true in the Atlanta, Dalton, and Gainesville metropolitan areas. Especially alarming are indications that the number of clandestine methamphetamine labs in Georgia has increased drastically. The primary sources for the drug, however, are located in California, Mexico, and Texas where labs capable of producing multi-pound quantities exist. Methamphetamine is most often transported via tractor-trailers and vehicles with hidden compartments. However, package delivery services are also used to deliver the drug. Mexico-based trafficking organizations play a key role in both the manufacture of methamphetamine and transportation of the drug into the state of Georgia, often controlling all facets of traffic from production to retail distribution.

Club Drugs:The most popular Club Drugs abused in Georgia are MDMA and GHB. Atlanta is often a transit city for Ecstasy couriers from Europe to other U.S. cities. Ecstasy is readily available in Atlanta’s nightclubs; however, “Rave” parties and concerts targeting a younger population are minimal.

Marijuana:Marijuana, the most commonly abused drug in Georgia, is readily available throughout the state. Texas and Arizona are the usual sources of marijuana that is imported from Mexico and ultimately distributed in Georgia. The primary wholesale suppliers of marijuana are Mexican nationals. In addition to the importation of marijuana from sources outside the region, local outdoor cannabis cultivation sites are increasing due to normally ideal growing conditions in the regions. Because of DEA's eradication program, and the recent drought, some dealers have resorted to indoor cultivation of marijuana.

Other Drugs: Recent reports indicate an increase in the availability of LSD, GHB/GBL, and Ecstasy (MDMA) among Caucasian traffickers/users, aged 18 to 25. LSD is usually encountered at school settings and is imported to this area from the West Coast via U.S. Postal Service packages or commercial express mail. There has been an increase in the availability of ICE, in the Atlanta metropolitan area along with locally produced methamphetamine. These drugs are produced on clandestine laboratories located within the state. Diverted pharmaceutical controlled substances are widely available with Xanax (alprazolam), Valium (diazepam), Dilaudid (hydromorphone), Demerol (meperidine), and Percodan (oxucodone) being the most soft after.