In 2015, U.S. Southern Command Commander Gen. John Kelly estimated that approximately 40 to 50 tons of heroin fed the U.S. epidemic annually. The total amount of heroin consumed in the United States in a year could fit into a couple of 40-foot shipping containers due to its small volume. The actual amount has likely increased since that time. 

Seizure Data

U.S. authorities manage to seize only a portion of the estimated supply. For instance, in 2015, the DEA reported that U.S. authorities seized 6.8 tons of heroin, which was roughly one-seventh of Gen. Kelly’s consumption estimate at the time. 

Specific seizure reports detail methods and quantities, but these are snapshots of ongoing operations:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data includes overall drug seizure statistics, which can be found on their official website: CBP Drug Seizure Statistics.
• The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command reported seizing an $80 million heroin shipment in the Gulf of Oman in May 2023.
• In one operation described in a 2000 report, a Mexican trafficking organization distributed about 36 kilograms of Mexican heroin per month across the U.S.. 

Primary Source Countries

Most heroin in the U.S. originates from Mexico, with more than 90% of the supply coming through the Southwest border. Mexico is the dominant supplier, although other regions like South America and Asia also contribute to the market through various trafficking routes, including commercial airlines, package delivery services, and land vehicles. 

Trend

The nature of the U.S. opioid crisis has shifted, with a significant increase in synthetic opioids, particularly illicit fentanyl, which is often mixed with or has replaced heroin in the supply chain. This has influenced the dynamics of both smuggling and overdose deaths. 

• In 2015, U.S. Southern Command commander Gen. John Kelly estimated that 40-50 tons of heroin fed the U.S. epidemic annually. The total yearly consumption was estimated to fit into two 40-foot shipping containers, highlighting its small volume relative to other illicit drugs.
• In the same year (2015), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported U.S. authorities managed to seize 6.8 tons of heroin. Seizures represent only a fraction of the total amount successfully smuggled into the country. 

Primary Source of Heroin

• Mexico is the primary source of the heroin supply in the U.S., accounting for over 90% of the supply between 2017 and 2020.
• Less than 1% of the U.S. supply comes from Afghanistan, which instead provides over 95% of Europe’s supply. 

Current Trends

Heroin trafficking and seizures have been declining in recent years, largely due to the rise of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl.

• In fiscal year (FY) 2024, only 3.3% of federal drug trafficking cases involved heroin, a 68.1% decrease since FY 2020.
• The rise of highly potent and easily concealable fentanyl has dramatically altered the drug market, making it the primary focus of current interdiction efforts.