Production

Marijuana production in the Northwest HIDTA region has increased at both outdoor and indoor grow sites. In 2006, 107,548 cannabis plants were eradicated in the Northwest HIDTA region,² compared with 61,881 plants in 2005 and 32,838 plants in 2004. Of the 107,548 plants eradicated in 2006, 64 percent were from outdoor grow sites; 36 percent were from indoor grow sites. (See Table 1.)

Table 1. Cannabis Plants Eradicated From Indoor/Outdoor Grow Sites, in the Northwest HIDTA Region, 2004-2006

Source: Northwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

Indoor cannabis cultivation sites, primarily controlled by Vietnamese criminal groups, are generally located in urban areas of King County, while large outdoor cannabis cultivation sites are typically controlled by Mexican DTOs and criminal groups and are generally located in remote areas of public lands and Indian country such as Franklin and Yakima Counties.

Some Canada-based Vietnamese criminal groups have moved their cannabis cultivation operations from Canada into the HIDTA region to minimize transportation costs and to avoid law enforcement interdiction along the U.S.-Canada border. These criminal groups typically cultivate cannabis in residences, often using state-of-the-art technology, lighting, and irrigation systems. These sophisticated indoor systems enable the growers to cultivate cannabis year-round and reduce their risk of law enforcement discovery. The relocation of operations from Canada has resulted in the increased availability of high-potency marijuana in the HIDTA region. In fact, according to the Northwest HIDTA, high-potency domestic marijuana has replaced high-potency Canadian marijuana as the most prevalent type of marijuana available in the HIDTA region.

Mexican DTOs that control large outdoor cannabis cultivation sites often employ illegal aliens to tend crops and provide site protection. In tending cannabis crops, these grow site operators often contaminate watersheds, divert natural watercourses, clear-cut vegetation, and create wildfire hazards. Moreover, the toxic chemicals (insecticides, fertilizers, etc.) that grow site operators use in tending cannabis often contaminate the area and affect residential water supplies.

Methamphetamine production is decreasing in the region, continuing a 3-year declining trend. (See Table 2.) Sustained law enforcement efforts, strict chemical precursor regulations, harsher sentencing for methamphetamine production offenses, and increased availability of Mexican ice methamphetamine have reduced the number of small-capacity powder methamphetamine laboratories in the HIDTA region. However, some Caucasian independent producers have continued to produce powder methamphetamine in rural areas of the region; they generally produce quantities sufficient only for personal use and limited distribution.

Table 2. Number of Seizures of Methamphetamine Laboratories, Chemicals, Glass, and Equipment at Dumpsites in Northwest HIDTA Counties, 2004-2006

Source: National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System as of March 06, 2007.

Crack cocaine is converted from powder cocaine in the Northwest HIDTA region. Retail distributors often convert powder cocaine to crack at or near distribution sites on an as-needed basis. In fact, 75 percent of state and local law enforcement officials in the Northwest HIDTA region who responded to NDIC's National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) 2006 report that powder cocaine is converted to crack in their areas.

End Note

2. Total eradication statistics for the state of Washington during 2006 were approximately 144,406 plants.

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