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National Drug Intelligence
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Various DTOs, criminal groups, street gangs, and independent dealers dominate retail-level drug distribution in the Milwaukee HIDTA region. Cocaine and marijuana are typically distributed by DTOs, large criminal groups, and street gangs, while heroin, diverted pharmaceutical drugs, MDMA, and limited amounts of methamphetamine are generally sold by independent dealers or small criminal groups.
Powder and crack cocaine are distributed by various criminal groups and street gangs in the HIDTA region. Most of the cocaine supplied to the region is stored at stash houses in Milwaukee, where local dealers purchase the drug for retail distribution. Within Milwaukee, powder cocaine is distributed primarily on the south side by Hispanic criminal groups and street gangs, while crack cocaine is distributed principally on the north side by African American street gangs. In Racine, where law enforcement officials report that crack cocaine distribution is the most significant drug problem in the city, African American dealers travel to Chicago to purchase crack for local distribution. Hispanic dealers in Racine typically purchase kilograms of powder cocaine in Chicago, which they later convert to crack and supply to local African American dealers. The Kenosha Police Department reports that targeted enforcement actions against Chicago drug distributors who travel to Kenosha resulted in lower availability of powder and crack cocaine in the city during late 2007 and early 2008.
Heroin distribution in the Milwaukee HIDTA region is conducted primarily by independent dealers and small criminal groups with connections to Dominican and Nigerian traffickers from Chicago and the east coast. Dominican traffickers supply local distributors with SA heroin, the most widely available type in the region, while Nigerian traffickers supply very limited amounts of SEA and SWA heroin. African American independent dealers are the primary distributors of heroin on the north side of Milwaukee, while Hispanic dealers distribute most of the heroin on the south side of the city. Caucasian independent dealers also distribute heroin in the region, but generally in smaller quantities provided to friends or associates. Additionally, suburban heroin abusers typically travel into the city of Milwaukee to purchase the drug from independent dealers; however, Racine officials report that over the past 2 years an increasing number of high school age individuals from Milwaukee have been traveling to Racine to purchase heroin.
Marijuana is commonly distributed throughout the HIDTA region by a variety of criminal groups, street gangs, and independent dealers. Hispanic criminal groups and street gangs are the primary distributors of commercial-grade marijuana on the south side of Milwaukee, while African American criminal groups distribute most of the marijuana available on the north side of the city. Officials in Racine and Kenosha report that most of the marijuana available in their jurisdictions is commercial-grade. Additionally, Kenosha officials report that the number of high school students selling marijuana increased significantly during the second half of 2007. Asian criminal groups and Caucasian independent dealers throughout the region distribute high-potency marijuana that they obtain from sources in Canada and on the west coast. High-potency marijuana is increasingly available in some areas of the region, including West Allis as well as Kenosha and Waukesha Counties. For example, in Waukesha County, where residents are better able to afford the higher prices, most of the available marijuana is higher-potency.
Other illicit drugs, including diverted pharmaceutical drugs and MDMA, are also distributed throughout the region, most often by independent dealers and small criminal groups. Prescription opiates, including oxycodone, methadone, morphine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, and propoxyphene, are commonly distributed in the region. These drugs are typically obtained by distributors and abusers through doctor-shopping and fraudulent prescriptions, or from independent dealers who also abuse the drug. MDMA is typically distributed by Asian criminal groups and Caucasian independent dealers who receive the drug from Vietnamese, Laotian, and Hmong drug traffickers in Canada and along the west coast; however, African American street gangs are increasingly distributing the drug on the north side of Milwaukee.
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In February 2008, 45 members of a violent African American street gang known as Nash Street Boys were indicted for drug distribution and gang-related criminal activity. Over a 2-year period, Nash Street Boys sold $1 million worth of cocaine and marijuana. Most members of the gang were from Milwaukee, but two were from Racine, one from Chicago, and one from Mexico. Sources in Chicago and Racine supplied cocaine and marijuana to the gang for distribution in the HIDTA region. Authorities executed 11 search warrants, primarily in a neighborhood around North 19th and West Nash Streets on the north side of Milwaukee. During the investigation, officials seized 3.57 kilograms of cocaine, 19 grams of crack cocaine, 5 automobiles, 10 firearms, $349,150 in cash, and $41,500 worth of jewelry. Members of the gang have been linked to multiple violent crimes, including shootings at a nightclub and a shoot-out that sent bullets into an innocent family's home. Members also robbed, beat, and set on fire a man whom they suspected of cooperating with law enforcement.
Source: Milwaukee Police Department. |
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