UN Reports Global Cocaine Production Hits Record High

Cocaine production, consumption, and seizure volumes reached an all-time high in 2023, according to the latest United Nations report on global drug trends.

Experts say cocaine output rose by 34%, reaching 3,700 tonnes, while global seizures surged by 68% to 2,300 tonnescompared to the previous year.

The number of cocaine users worldwide has grown significantly, rising from 17 mln in 2013 to 25 mln in 2023. The UN warns that producers are increasingly targeting Asian and African markets, contributing to a sharp rise in cartel-related violence beyond Latin America.

Cocaine is now the fourth most consumed drug globally, following cannabis, opioids, and amphetamines.

Earlier, Kursiv Uzbekistan reported that smugglers attempted to bring $1 mln worth of synthetic drugs into Uzbekistan.