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Drug Situation: Heroin, cocaine HCl, crack cocaine, and marijuana remained the most available, popular, used, and trafficked illegal drugs in Pennsylvania. However, clandestinely manufactured drugs, such as methamphetamine, crystal methamphetamine, and club drugs, such as MDMA/ecstasy, also remained readily available to users of various ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. OxyContin availability was reported to be decreasing, yet it remained popular in some areas, especially in northeastern Pennsylvania. The diversion of methamphetamine precursor chemicals such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and anhydrous ammonia, as well as the discovery of clandestine laboratories, remained a problem in western Pennsylvania, while significant investigations of internet pharmacies continued. Methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine abuse and trafficking remained a significant problem, as evidenced by an increase in new crystal methamphetamine investigations and a substantial increase in overall methamphetamine seizures from fiscal year 2004 to present. Most trafficking and distribution were facilitated by a variety of Hispanic and African-American networks that are scattered throughout the state. These groups distributed drugs that were either transported into Pennsylvania via various transshipment locations, or were shipped directly to Philadelphia or other localities. Concealed vehicle compartments, public transportation, airline luggage, as well as freight and parcel services, remained commonly used modes for shipping quantities of drugs. Philadelphia’s street corner distribution networks remained sources of drugs sold to users in Pennsylvania. However, distributors operating in some smaller cities and towns frequently travel either to New York or to lower-level distribution points other than Philadelphia to purchase larger quantities of drugs to sell at the retail level. Heroin, cocaine HCl, and crack cocaine trafficking organizations remained the Philadelphia Division’s top enforcement priorities, especially as intelligence indicated that these organizations continue to infiltrate the smaller cities and rural areas in the division. The violence, intimidation, and increasing number of overdose deaths remained a significant concern to local law enforcement, as well as community and treatment officials.
New York City remained the primary source area for cocaine HCl distributed in Pennsylvania. Colombian, Puerto Rican, and Dominican groups based in New York and in Philadelphia provided wholesale quantities of cocaine HCl to lower-level Hispanic and African-American groups that distributed it in the inner city neighborhoods and suburbs of Philadelphia, as well as in smaller cities, towns, and rural areas.
Intelligence indicated that cheap, high-purity heroin remained readily available in the northeastern and southwestern parts of Pennsylvania, areas where cocaine distribution dominated for years. Availability appeared to be on the rise in western PA, especially in the Pittsburgh area, but overall purity remains low. However, heroin purity levels in the Pittsburgh area appeared to be rising slightly over the past several months. Heroin availability was relatively stable in the other areas, as it remained easy for users to obtain it in most cities and towns within Pennsylvania. Some of these cities and towns, especially Allentown, Bethlehem, Reading, and Easton, have become lower-level distribution points for users and distributors operating in surrounding communities. These cities are located within a short drive of Philadelphia, and other localities in eastern Pennsylvania are also located within a short drive of New York City.
Although the availability of methamphetamine in Pennsylvania is relatively low compared to the midwestern and western United States, investigations and reports from state and local law enforcement confirm the eastward movement of methamphetamine production into Pennsylvania. In particular, rural areas, such as the northwestern counties and Pocono Mountain have been infiltrated with small, yet dangerous, methamphetamine laboratories, as numerous seizures have documented by law enforcement in the last few years. The rural parts of Pennsylvania remained the most popular sites for clandestine laboratories due to the reduced risk of detection caused by the pungent odor of a laboratory as well as the likelihood of a lesser law enforcement presence. However, investigations continued to reveal that small-scale laboratories exist anywhere from residences to motel rooms in cities and towns throughout Pennsylvania. These laboratories account for the vast majority of methamphetamine laboratories seized in Pennsylvania and the majority of methamphetamine available in western Pennsylvania. However, the production output of these laboratories represent only a small percentage of the methamphetamine consumed in all of Pennsylvania. Though not nearly as popular as heroin, cocaine, or crack cocaine, methamphetamine is attractive because of its longer lasting high and because users can easily produce their own methamphetamine with readily available recipes, precursor chemicals or ingredients, and equipment. Laboratory operators use various means to obtain precursor chemicals, including diversion from legitimate sources and self-production. However, precursor chemicals include commonly used household products/chemicals, such as lye, and over the counter drugs, such as pseudoephedrine, most of which are readily available at retail stores. **INFORMATION FROM QUARTERLY TRENDS IN THE TRAFFICK FY 2008- FIRST QUARTER** The availability of methamphetamine appears to be growing, as small clandestine laboratories continued to be seized throughout the division at increasing rates. Availability has been reported in Delaware and the western suburbs more than within the city of Philadelphia. Intelligence has reported an increase in popularity of crystal methamphetamine in the downtown Philadelphia nightclub scene. In addition, high purity Ice has been increasing in popularity among all age groups, in many geographic areas. Though not nearly as popular as heroin, cocaine, or crack cocaine, methamphetamine is attractive because of its longer lasting high and because users can easily produce their own methamphetamine with readily available precursors and equipment. Intelligence indicated that methamphetamine abuse was especially prevalent among middle and lower-middle class white males. Intelligence has indicated a rise in the abuse of methamphetamine in several rural areas of northwest Pennsylvania, and abuse in the “club scene” in Pittsburgh has been on the rise as well. Availability has been reported in Delaware and the western suburbs more than within the city of Philadelphia. Intelligence indicated that an increase in popularity of crystal methamphetamine in the downtown Philadelphia nightclub scene. In addition, high purity Ice has been increasing in popularity among all age groups, in many geographic areas. Though not nearly as popular as heroin, cocaine, or crack cocaine, methamphetamine is attractive because of its longer lasting high and because users can easily produce their own methamphetamine with readily available precursors and equipment. Intelligence indicated that methamphetamine abuse was especially prevalent among middle and lower-middle class white males. Intelligence indicated a rise in the abuse of methamphetamine in several rural areas of northwest Pennsylvania, and abuse in the “club scene” in Pittsburgh has been on the rise as well.
New York City is the primary source area for the retail quantities of MDMA available in Pennsylvania. Investigations indicate that MDMA is smuggled by Israeli and Dutch nationals as well as by members of Russian and Israeli organized crime groups from the Netherlands, through Canada, New York, and the Caribbean, and then to cities in Pennsylvania. Wholesale quantities of MDMA tablets are also shipped and transported directly into Pennsylvania via mail/parcel services or by couriers flying into major international airports. Philadelphia International Airport is one of these locations, where couriers travel with suitcases or wearing clothing that conceals tablets.
The wide availability of marijuana allows it to be easily obtained and used by individuals from a variety of ethnic populations and socioeconomic sectors. Recreational use of marijuana remained popular with high school and college age students, while adults remained the predominant users of marijuana, especially in large social gatherings, such as rock concerts. Reports indicated that some users smoke marijuana in combination with crack cocaine, heroin, and PCP. Source areas of marijuana distributed in Pennsylvania include the US southwest border region, namely Arizona, Texas, California, and Mexico, as well as New York City (especially northeast PA). Intelligence from the Harrisburg area has indicated an increase in encounters with individuals transporting marijuana into Pennsylvania from California and Arizona in personal vehicles. Various means of transport were employed by traffickers transporting large quantities of marijuana into Pennsylvania, including tractor-trailers, passenger vehicles, passenger luggage on commercial aircraft, buses, and trains, the US Postal Service, and freight and parcel shipping companies (e.g. UPS, FedEx). Due to their proximity to major thoroughfares, localities throughout the state remained transshipment points as well as consumer markets. At the retail level, Hispanic, African-American, and Caucasian groups, along with some dominant Jamaican organizations, controlled the marijuana market by distributing bag, ounce, and pound quantities to users across Pennsylvania.
California is the most commonly reported source area for quantities of LSD, while California and New York are considered the source areas for the PCP that is primarily distributed in Philadelphia. Typically, these drugs are transported in vehicles or shipped in parcels via the US Postal Service or other parcel services. Pharmaceutical Diversion: Current investigations indicate that diversion of hydrocodone products such as Vicodin®, oxycodone products such as OxyContin®, fentanyl (such as Actiq®), and pseudoephedrine continues to be a problem in Pennsylvania. Primary methods of diversion being reported are illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, “doctor shopping” (going to a number of doctors to obtain prescriptions for a controlled pharmaceutical), forged prescriptions, and the Internet. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam and alprazolam (both the generic formulation and brand name Xanax®) were also identified as being among the most commonly abused and diverted pharmaceuticals in Pennsylvania.
DEA Regional Enforcement Teams: This program was designed to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting drug organizations operating in the United States where there is a lack of sufficient local drug law enforcement. This program was conceived in 1999 in response to the threat posed by drug trafficking organizations that have established networks of cells to conduct drug trafficking operations in smaller, non-traditional trafficking locations in the United States. As of January 31, 2005, there have been 27 deployments nationwide, and one deployment in the U.S. Virgin Islands, resulting in 671 arrests. There has been one RET deployment in the State of Pennsylvania since the inception of the program, in Pittsburgh. Financial/Money Laundering: The money raised from drug sales is transported to source areas from Pennsylvania using any or a combination of several common methods. These methods typically fall under one of two categories: physical transportation or electronic transfer. Methods of physical transportation include direct shipment of cash via parcel or mail services and transportation by vehicle employing a variety of concealment measures. Technology developed and advanced in the last several years made the electronic transfer of funds a much more attractive and much less risky method to pay sources of supply around the world. While wire remittance companies are regularly used to transfer money, the use of internet banking to transfer funds into domestic and international bank accounts has become increasingly popular. Money laundering methods include purchasing valuables, vehicles, real estate, and other property with drug proceeds. The creation and use of fictitious front companies and illegitimate businesses including internet-based companies have been popular. The “structuring” of electronic transfers over several days, using several different financial institutions is another way to avoid transaction reporting. More information about the Philadelphia Division Office. Factsheet last updated: 3/2008 |
Other
Dangerous Drugs: In the Philadelphia area, phencyclidine (PCP) is available and commonly used with marijuana. Reports continue to indicate that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) remains available in western Pennsylvania and in smaller urban areas north and west of Philadelphia. Caucasian juveniles and young adults who reside in these smaller urban areas and area colleges are reportedly the predominant users and distributors of LSD.
DEA
Mobile Enforcement Teams: This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts was conceived in 1995 in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation. Since the inception of the MET Program, 473 deployments have been completed nationwide, resulting in 19,643 arrests. There have been 19 MET deployments in the State of Pennsylvania since the inception of the program: Bristol, Chester City (2), Clariton, Easton, Norristown, Reading (2), York, Pottstown, Bethlehem, Allentown (2), Philadelphia (2), Upper Darby, Harrisburg, Bristol Township, and Lancaster.