The discrepancies in the 1999 statistical data for heroin produced in Southwest Asia and other are as generated by the Heroin Signature and Domestic Monitor programs are the result of the two programs data not being comparable. The 1999 Heroin Signature Program data identifies the source of heroin seized at specific U.S. international airports, whereas the 1999 Domestic Monitor Program data identifies the source of heroin obtained through random, undercover, retail-level heroin purchases in specific cities. According to DEA and Customs officials, Heroin Signature Program data for 1999 shows no seizure information for U.S. Pacific Coast international airports because, with the exception of the Los Angeles International Airport, no seizures occurred at such airports during 1999 that met federal prosecution guidelines. Seizures from which samples are analyzed under the program must meet federal prosecution guidelines.

DEA officials responsible for administering the Heroin Signature Program told us that they receive sufficient samples of the heroin seized by federal law enforcement agencies but receive few or no samples of the heroin seized by state and local law enforcement agencies. The Director of DEAs Special Testing and Research Laboratory also stated that the analysis of additional samples from West Coast heroin seizures by state and local authorities would broaden the statistical database used to identify trends.