Cocaine: Colombia-based distributors continue to supply New York's top cocaine rings, dominated by Dominican violators. These traffickers regularly smuggle in multi-hundred kilogram shipments of cocaine to New York and then distribute it in smaller amounts through many networks in the metropolitan area. Most of the cocaine entering New York is smuggled in by vehicles from large distribution centers in border areas (Texas, Arizona, California, and Florida). Mexican violators are becoming increasingly prominent in this large scale cocaine transportation, and are also becoming involved in local wholesale distribution. Cocaine is also a significant problem in Albany and western New York State. Most cocaine distributors in the Albany area have connections to sources in New York City, but some direct links have been found with Florida and Puerto Rico. Seizures of wholesale amounts in Buffalo are frequently made at the airport and train station and weigh from one-half to four kilograms each. Crack cocaine is readily available in economically depressed areas in all major New York cities, along with some suburban and semi-rural areas, and is occasionally a source of violence in upstate cities. Such violence usually occurs because newer dealers have challenged more established groups over territory.

Heroin: Heroin is readily available from Colombian, ethnic Chinese, and Dominican organizations operating in the New York metropolitan area. Most of the heroin available in New York is of South American origin and Colombia-based traffickers bring some of the purest heroin in the world to the streets of New York, utilizing the same distribution methods and money-laundering expertise they perfected in capturing the cocaine market. In some cases, the same organizations are distributing both cocaine and heroin. Much of the Colombian heroin is smuggled into New York by couriers and ingesters arriving at JFK Airport, on direct flights from Colombia, or after stopovers in Florida, Jamaica, Haiti, Panama, or the Dominican Republic. Colombian heroin trafficking organizations have developed increasingly sophisticated smuggling methods, including use of cargo shipments and chemically impregnating heroin into plastic, which is then molded into common shapes. The heroin is subsequently recovered using a chemical extraction process. The heroin trafficking and abuse problem is increasing in upstate New York. Dealers in upstate regions often buy heroin in New York City and then return to their home areas via auto, bus, or train. Most heroin sold upstate is first cut and packaged in New York City and then recut and repackaged locally. Currently, some of the high-purity products are finding their way directly to users who are often unaccustomed to the strength. Buffalo also acts as a port of entry for Southeast Asian heroin from Toronto en route to New York City and Detroit.

Methamphetamine: Overall, methamphetamine trafficking and abuse in New York State is a less serious problem when compared to heroin, cocaine, crack, and MDMA. However, methamphetamine availability may increase, especially upstate, as local labs become more common. Seizures of low yield, small methamphetamine labs are increasing in rural New York, especially in the vicinity of Albany and Syracuse. Mostly employing the red phosphorous method, these lab seizures have increased exponentially since 2000, from less than ten per year in the late 1990s through 2001, to 40 in 2002 and 16 through the first three months of CY 2003. Most of New York City's methamphetamine supply continues to be from the West Coast via couriers who travel there, pick up one-half pound to a kilogram of methamphetamine and then return to the New York area.

Club Drugs: MDMA (Ecstasy) is readily available throughout New York and remains the drug of choice at nightclubs, rave parties, and college campuses. New York has had exponential increases in the importation, trafficking, and abuse of MDMA. Belgium and the Netherlands are the main source locations, with significant transshipment through Canada. Currently, organized crime groups, many controlled by Israeli traffickers, dominate the importation and distribution of MDMA in New York. They differ somewhat from more traditionally structured organized criminal groups and exist as loose confederations rather than organizations with a rigid hierarchical structure. Within New York, wholesale quantity transactions typically occur in residences, and, at the retail level, the drug is sold to users at nightclubs or raves. Almost all MDMA pills are sold with logos stamped in, creating brands for users to seek out. Many of those brands are specifically designed to appeal to teenagers.

Marijuana: Most of the marijuana entering the New York City area, and some upstate regions, appears to be arriving via air freight or auto/truck transport from Florida or the southwestern United States. Significant amounts also arrive via commercial overnight package services. Upstate regions receive marijuana from the Southwestern United States, and there are continuous reports of local indoor grow operations. Canada is also a source for a significant quantity of marijuana entering New York State, primarily indoor grow marijuana.

Other Drugs: New York continues to experience high levels of importation, trafficking, and abuse of MDMA (Ecstasy). Belgium and the Netherlands remain the main locations for manufacturing and exporting MDMA. Currently, organized crime groups, many controlled by Israeli traffickers, dominate the importation and distribution of MDMA in New York. They differ somewhat from more traditionally structured organized criminal groups and exist as loose confederations rather than organizations with a rigid hierarchical structure. The traffickers importing and distributing MDMA are primarily younger than most violators associated with organized criminal groups, they are multi-lingual and extremely mobile, with frequent international travel. Within New York, wholesale quantity transactions typically occur in residences, and, at the retail level, the drug is sold to users at nightclubs or raves. Almost all MDMA pills are sold with logos stamped in, creating brands for users to seek out. Many of those brands are specifically designed to appeal to teenagers. Other dangerous drugs, while available, are less prominent problems in New York City.