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Drug Situation: Mexican poly-drug trafficking organizations control a large majority of the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana in Kansas. Various organizations with ties to Texas, Arizona and California continue to distribute drugs throughout the state. Other organized criminal groups, such as Asian DTOs and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs are also involved with distribution in Kansas, but to a lesser degree.
Other Drugs: PCP remains available in the Kansas City and Wichita areas. It is found in the African-American neighborhoods of the larger cities and is usually abused in the form of “wet,” which is cigarettes or marijuana dipped in the PCP. Sources for the PCP are usually street gangs based in Southern California. LSD is available in the larger cities, such as Kansas City and Wichita, and is also found in and around college campuses and other youth oriented locations throughout the state.Pharmaceutical Diversion: OxyContin continues to be the pharmaceutical drug of choice in the state of Kansas. It is favored by its users over street drugs such as heroin due to the consistent purity and quality. Kansas lists Oxycodone products as the third most abused pharmaceutical drug. Hydrocodone is another pharmaceutical product that is commonly abused. Other substances cited include: Alprazolam, Benzodiazepine, Demerol, Dilaudid, Lortab, Methylphenidate, Morphine, Nubaine, Percocet, Percodan, Phenobarbitol, Phentermine, Prozac, Tylox, Valium, Vicodin, and Xanax. The most common methods for obtaining these substances continue to be doctor shopping, prescription forgeries, pharmacy break-ins, employee theft, and internet pharmacy websites. Mexican manufactured Fentanyl has not been found in Kansas at this time.
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 have been no RET deployments in the state of Kansas. Special Topics: Transportation: Kansas City is located near the geographic center of the United States where several of the nation’s busiest highways (I-29, I-35, and I-70) intersect, and is a major transit point for the vehicular transportation of illicit drugs and drug proceeds to and from significant market areas across the nation. This is one of the most active Operation Pipeline programs in the country. Great success has been attained in initiating cases and effecting substantial seizures and arrests which often attack the highest levels of drug trafficking. Frequently, the St. Louis Division follows up on Pipeline seizures and plays a facilitator’s role by conducting controlled deliveries to other Divisions. In addition, intelligence gathered from these interdictions is used to further ongoing investigations. The Kansas City metropolitan area has one of the largest railroad hubs in the United States, which is sometimes exploited by drug traffickers. Kansas City is served by four of the eight Class I railroads (Burlington Northern and Santa Fe, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, and Union Pacific) as well as regional carriers (Gateway Western, I & M Rail Link, and Missouri and Northern Arkansas). Significant seizures of drugs and drug proceeds occur at passenger bus and rail terminals in the Kansas City area. Financial/Money Laundering: The Kansas City DO reports incidents of drug proceeds being exchanged through local businesses, including casinos, for larger denomination bills. This reduces the size of bulk currency shipments, typically transported in privately owned vehicles. Both the transportation of bulk cash in vehicles and the use of wire transfer companies remain popular with drug trafficking organizations. More information about the St. Louis Division Office. Factsheet last updated: 3/2008 |