Cocaine, meth and pot prices skyrocket in Miami

Six months after coronavirus restrictions began, the prices of illegal drugs have soared thanks to lower supplies. Prices of cocaine, heroin and meth have increased between 20 and 50%. Cops point to restrictions on the U.S.-Mexico border. Reduced air travel between South Florida and South America has also affected supplies, as has the complete shutdown of the state’s cruise industry. The “supply side shock” is being felt in cocaine prices where it now costs $25k to $28k per kilo, up more than 20%.

Cartels have been forced to rely on different tactics. They used to send a steady flow of smaller shipments, but because of restrictions, they’re relying on bigger shipments. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, there were 37,380 seizures of cocaine in the first 11 months of the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. That’s far from the 89,207 seizures of cocaine in the previous year. Seizures at U.S. airports and seaports are also down.

In Florida in the past three months alone, there have been 20 cases of cocaine or pot washing up on shore.