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National Drug Intelligence
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Colombian DTOs and criminal groups in the South Florida HIDTA region control the movement of cocaine and SA heroin from source, staging, and transit areas in Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela to South Florida, often at the behest of Colombian DTOs based in Colombia; they also facilitate the transportation of cocaine to Europe. Colombian DTOs dominate the wholesale distribution of cocaine and SA heroin in the South Florida HIDTA region; they also are the region's principal money launderers. Colombian DTOs rely heavily on Caribbean-based DTOs and criminal groups, including Bahamian, Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Venezuelan groups, to transport cocaine and heroin from South America to the region, generally through transit areas in the Caribbean; they typically pay these organizations with drugs or money. In addition, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Miami Field Division reports that Colombian DTOs are working closely with Mexican DTOs to coordinate the transportation of powder cocaine from Colombia through Central America and Mexico into the United States, and eventually into southern Florida.
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Drug trafficking organizations are complex organizations with highly defined command-and-control structures that produce, transport, and/or distribute large quantities of one or more illicit drugs. Criminal groups operating in the United States are numerous and range from small to moderately sized, loosely knit groups that distribute one or more drugs at the retail level and midlevel. Gangs
are defined by the National Alliance of Gang Investigators' Associations as
groups or associations of three or more persons with a common identifying sign,
symbol, or name, the members of which individually or collectively engage in
criminal activity that creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. |
Cuban DTOs5 and criminal groups distribute marijuana, powder cocaine, SA heroin, and MDMA in the South Florida HIDTA region. They also operate numerous indoor high-potency cannabis grow sites in the area. Cuban traffickers in the region are typically affiliated in loosely organized criminal groups. However, some law enforcement officials in Florida and other southeastern states have identified more structured Cuban DTOs operating in their jurisdictions that engage in the production and distribution of high-potency marijuana.
Mexican DTOs transport and distribute powder cocaine, heroin, Mexican methamphetamine, and Mexican commercial-grade marijuana in the South Florida HIDTA region. They also facilitate the transportation of powder cocaine into the region on behalf of Colombian DTOs. Mexican DTOs are most concentrated in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. They typically obtain illicit drugs from Mexican DTOs in Atlanta, Georgia, or southwestern states.
Other DTOs and criminal groups of various races/ethnicities, including African American, Caucasian, and Jamaican, distribute illicit drugs at the midlevel and retail level in the South Florida HIDTA region. These traffickers often obtain powder cocaine and heroin from Colombian DTOs and ice methamphetamine and Mexican commercial-grade marijuana from Mexican DTOs. African American criminal groups generally distribute cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and limited quantities of pharmaceutical drugs and MDMA. Caucasian criminal groups distribute cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, pharmaceutical drugs, and ODDs. Jamaican DTOs transport and distribute cocaine and marijuana.
Street gangs, both local and nationally affiliated, are involved in drug distribution in many areas of southern Florida; outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) also distribute limited quantities of illicit drugs at the retail level. Local street gangs, such as 112 Avenue Boys, Baby Demons, and Davie Boys, and national street gangs, including Latin Kings, Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13), and Sureños 13 (Sur 13), distribute powder and crack cocaine and marijuana as well as lesser quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, MDMA, and pharmaceutical drugs. Street gang activity is prevalent among African American and Hispanic youths in the region. Local street gangs commonly adopt multiple facets of gang culture from national-level street gangs, often by observing them over the Internet, rather than through direct contact with the national-level gangs. Most street gangs in the region are violent and operate in a defined area, or turf. Most gang-related violence is a result of significant rivalries or disputes over drug territories among street gangs; however, some gang violence is directed at members of the same gang over theft and jealousy. The level of drug distribution by OMGs is generally low in the region; however, some OMGs distribute limited quantities of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, ODDs, and diverted pharmaceuticals at the retail level. Outlaws is the preeminent OMG operating in the region.
5. Cuban drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) are composed of individuals of Cuban descent and ethnic Cubans located in the United States.
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