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Statewide
Offices
Blaine360-332-8692
Seattle206-553-5443
Spokane509-353-2964
Tacoma253-383-7901
Tri-Cities509-374-3444
Yakima509-454-4407 |
State Facts
Population: 6,375,600
State Prison Population: 17,914
Probation Population: 125,222
Violent Crime Rate
National Ranking: 27 |
2006
Federal Drug Seizures
Cocaine: 621.3 kgs.
Heroin: 11.4 kgs.
Methamphetamine: 51.8 kgs.
Marijuana: 4,363.0 kgs./60 du
Hashish: 0.4 kgs
MDMA: 289.8 kgs./2,464,251 du
Meth
Lab Incidents: 206
(DEA, state, and local) |
Drug Situation: Sharing
a border with Canada, Washington is a transshipment point for drugs
and monies entering Canada, as well as Canadian marijuana (street name
BC Bud), MDMA (street name Ecstasy) and other drugs entering the United
States. Canadian criminal organizations have used profits from the
sale of high-potency BC Bud marijuana to purchase cocaine for redistribution
in Canada. In particular, Vietnamese organized crime groups and Outlaw
Motorcycle Gangs such as the Hell’s Angels are suspected of heavy
involvement in this activity. Crystal methamphetamine is widely available
in Washington and distributed by Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations.
The greater Yakima Valley is home to large scale drug trafficking organizations
responsible for the distribution of drugs throughout the United States.
Money laundering and bulk cash smuggling are additional threats in
Washington, with organizations engaging in a variety of methods to
legitimize and reposition illicit proceeds.
Cocaine: Cocaine
and crack cocaine are readily available. Crack cocaine is most prevalent
in low income, urban areas. Wholesale quantities of cocaine HCl are
primarily controlled by Mexican drug organizations. These organizations,
with connections to large scale traffickers in California and Mexico,
are the main groups responsible for cocaine destined for Washington.
Cocaine is consumed in the state and smuggled into Canada for redistribution.
Heroin: The
most common type of heroin encountered in Washington is Mexican black
tar heroin. Mexican drug trafficking organizations, which also traffic
methamphetamine and cocaine, remain the primary source for black tar
heroin in Washington. Black tar heroin is produced in Mexico and transported
from distribution cities in southern California directly to western
and eastern Washington.
![Methamphetamine Lab Incidents: 2002=1,441, 2003=1,018, 2004=959, 2005=522, 2006=178](wash_state_meth2007.gif) Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine
is a widely abused drug in Washington and one which impacts all levels
of the community. Methamphetamine in powder form
(methamphetamine HCl) and a more potent form known as “ice” (crystal
methamphetamine) are readily available throughout the state. Mexican
drug trafficking organizations are primarily responsible for the importation
and distribution of methamphetamine, most of which is now produced
in Mexico. Small, toxic labs within the state have decreased over the
years but are still encountered. Crystal methamphetamine now dominates
the market in Washington as the preferred form of methamphetamine.
Club Drugs: MDMA
(4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is smuggled into Washington primarily
from Canada. Increasing bulk shipment incidents reported at the U.S./Canada
border illustrate the continuing popularity of MDMA and the efforts
of drug trafficking organizations to use the state as a transshipment
point for MDMA loads destined for Seattle and various U.S. locations.
The manufacture of MDMA within Canada is noted to have escalated, and
MDMA laboratory activity has been encountered in Washington.
Other synthetic drugs such as GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), LSD (lysergic
acid diethylamide), and 5-MeO-DIPT (5-methoxy-n, ndiisopropyltryptamine/street
name Foxy) have been seen on a smaller scale.
Marijuana: Marijuana
is readily available throughout the state. Three types are generally
encountered: locally grown (either from indoor or outdoor grow operations),
Canadian BC Bud from British Columbia, and Mexican marijuana. Of these
varieties, locally grown sinsemilla and BC Bud are preferred because
of its higher THC content. BC Bud marijuana is available in the state,
particularly in the larger metropolitan areas, which also serve as
major transshipment points for BC Bud distributed throughout the United
States. The outdoor cultivation of marijuana by Mexican nationals on
private land as well as state and federal forest lands and parks is
increasing.
Pharmaceutical Diversion: In
the United States, prescription drugs are the second most abused drug
by youth. The primary methods of diversion of legitimate pharmaceuticals
continues to be illegal dispensing and prescribing by physicians, illegal
distribution by pharmacists, prescription forgery, doctor shopping,
and drug thefts from pharmacies, nursing homes, and hospitals. Pharmacy
burglaries are prevalent throughout the state and Diversion Investigators
are also encountering pharmaceuticals that have been purchased via
the Internet without a doctor’s prescription. The abuse and trafficking
of oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin,
Lortab), and anabolic steroids continues to be a concern, while Methadone
use has increased dramatically in Washington.
More information
about the Seattle Division Office.
Sources
Factsheet
last updated:
6/2007
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