Global Production of Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine

This comparison outlines the fundamental differences in how these three major illicit drugs are produced, sourced, and trafficked.

Factor	Fentanyl	Cocaine	Methamphetamine
Production Model	Synthetic Entirely manufactured in laboratories from precursor chemicals.	Agricultural & Industrial Derived from the coca plant, requiring cultivation, harvesting, and chemical processing.	Synthetic Manufactured in labs from precursor chemicals, ranging from large "superlabs" to small-scale "kitchen" labs.
Key Raw Materials	Precursor chemicals (e.g., NPP, 4-AP), mostly manufactured in China and India. Shipped globally to be synthesized into fentanyl, often in Mexico.	Coca leaves. Cultivated almost exclusively in the Andean region (Colombia, Peru, Bolivia).	Precursor chemicals, primarily pseudoephedrine (from decongestants) or P-2-P. Sourced from legal chemical companies or diverted pharmaceuticals. Major production in Mexico and the United States.
Primary Production Hubs	• Mexico (for the US market) • China (precursors and some final product)	• Colombia (largest producer) • Peru • Bolivia	• Mexico (large-scale production for global export) • United States (smaller domestic labs) • Southeast Asia (notably Myanmar)
Supply Chain	Stealthy & Efficient. Small, lightweight packages of powder are easily shipped via mail and express consignment. Hard to detect.	Bulky & Logistically Complex. Requires moving large quantities of leaves, paste, and powder across borders, often by boat or semi-submersibles.	Diverse & Resilient. Ranges from massive Mexican superlabs supplying the US to small local labs reducing transportation needs.
Potency & Volume	Extremely high potency. A few milligrams can be lethal. A tiny volume (a kg) can produce hundreds of thousands of doses.	Low potency, high volume. Requires moving tons of plant material and powder to be profitable.	High potency. A relatively small amount of powder produces a powerful, long-lasting high.
Key Criminal Actors	Mexican Cartels (Sinaloa, CJNG) who press it into pills or mix it with other drugs. Chemical suppliers in China.	South American Cartels (Clan del Golfo, etc.), Brazilian CV & PCC, Mexican Transit Cartels.	Mexican Cartels (dominant), various groups in Southeast Asia (Wa syndicate), and countless small-scale domestic producers.

Summary of Key Differences

Cocaine is an agricultural product, tying its production to specific geographic regions (the Andes) and making it bulky to traffic. Its supply chain is long and vulnerable to interdiction at multiple points.

Fentanyl and Methamphetamine are synthetic products, meaning they can be produced anywhere with the required chemicals and expertise. This makes their supply chains more flexible and resilient.

Fentanyl is in a class of its own regarding potency and lethality. Its synthetic nature and extreme potency make it incredibly efficient and profitable for traffickers, but also immensely dangerous for users due to the microscopic difference between a high and a fatal overdose.

The global drug market is shifting towards these synthetic drugs because they are cheaper to produce, easier to traffic, and more potent than plant-based drugs, representing a significant challenge for law enforcement and public health systems worldwide.