According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, drug traffickers constitute 16% of state felony sentences — the largest major offense percentage, and offenders have a 33% rate of imprisonment.
This number represents an increase, which the BJS says reflects public concern.
The United States Sentencing Commission reports that seven drug types account for 98% of drug trafficking offenses (2022 data). Methamphetamine accounts for almost half (48.8%), followed by powder cocaine (17.4%), fentanyl/analogues (12.6%), heroin (8.1%), crack cocaine (5.6%), marijuana (4.1%) and oxycodone (1.4%).
Further reported by the USSC:
- 82.2% of drug trafficking offenders were men
- 42.7% were Hispanic, 28.1% were Black, 26.0% were White, and 3.2% were other races
- Their average age was 37 years
- 84% were United States citizens
- 41.7% had little or no prior criminal history; 5.5% were career offenders
- Sentences were increased for
- possessing a weapon (26.4%)
- a leadership or supervisory role in the offense (6.2%)
- Sentences were decreased for
- minor or minimal participation in the offense (19.5%)
- meeting the safety valve criteria in the sentencing guidelines (34.7%)
- The top five districts for drug trafficking offenders were
- Southern District of California (1,755)
- Southern District of Texas (975)
- Western District of Texas (955)
- Northern District of Texas (715)
- Northern District of Ohio (534)
