Drug Trafficking Organizations

Mexican DTOs and criminal groups are the predominant drug traffickers operating in the Northwest HIDTA region; their influence in the region is unrivaled. Asian DTOs and criminal groups, outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs), and street gangs also operate in the area.

Mexican DTOs

Mexican DTOs and criminal groups are the principal illicit drug transporters and distributors in the Northwest HIDTA region. Members of these organizations easily assimilate into the region's burgeoning Hispanic population. Mexican DTOs and criminal groups operating in the region typically obtain powder cocaine, Mexican marijuana, Mexican black tar heroin, and ice methamphetamine from other Mexican DTOs operating in California, southwestern states, or Mexico. These traffickers distribute wholesale quantities of illicit drugs to distributors throughout the region.

Asian DTOs

Asian DTOs and criminal groups, primarily Cambodian, Chinese, Laotian, and ethnic Vietnamese, are prevalent within the Northwest HIDTA region; members of these groups typically commingle with the area's diverse Asian community while engaging in trafficking operations. Asian criminal groups supply high-potency marijuana and MDMA in the area. Canada-based Vietnamese criminal groups produce high-potency marijuana in the Northwest HIDTA region, primarily at large-scale indoor cannabis grow sites; they also smuggle Canadian marijuana and MDMA into Washington from Canada. Moreover, these groups often shield themselves from law enforcement scrutiny by employing other criminal groups to conduct some high-risk operations, such as using Canada-based East Indian drug transportation organizations for cross-border smuggling. These transportation organizations smuggle Canadian marijuana and MDMA into the United States and cocaine and bulk cash into Canada by using their own trucking companies and driving vehicles through Washington ports of entry (POEs).

Gangs

Members of OMGs are involved in the transportation and distribution of marijuana and methamphetamine (powder and ice) in the Northwest HIDTA region. These traffickers, particularly members of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) OMG, often transport illicit drugs from Canada in vehicles and maritime conveyances.

Street gangs are involved primarily in retail drug distribution in the region; however, the composition of gangs and their predominance varies among major markets. In the Puget Sound and Yakima Valley areas, African American gangs are the predominant retail drug distributors, while Hispanic gangs (such as Norteños, Sureños, Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13), and Mexican Mafia) are the most active drug distributors in the Spokane area.

To Top      To Contents     To Previous Page      To Next Page

To Publications Page     To Home Page

UNCLASSIFIED