Title:

Wyoming Drug Threat Assessment

Publication Date:  December 2001

Document ID: 2002-S0389WY-001

Archived on:  January 1, 2006. This document may contain dated information. It remains available to provide access to historical materials.

This report is a strategic assessment that addresses the status and outlook of the drug threat to Wyoming. Analytical judgment determined the threat posed by each drug type or category, taking into account the most current quantitative and qualitative information on availability, demand, production or cultivation, transportation, and distribution, as well as the effects of a particular drug on abusers and society as a whole. While NDIC sought to incorporate the latest available information, a time lag often exists between collection and publication of data, particularly demand-related data sets. NDIC anticipates that this drug threat assessment will be useful to policymakers, law enforcement personnel, and treatment providers at the federal, state, and local levels because it draws upon a broad range of information sources to describe and analyze the drug threat to Wyoming.

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Contents  

Executive Summary

Overview
  Fast Facts

Methamphetamine
  Abuse
  Availability
  Violence
  Production
  Transportation
  Distribution

Marijuana
  Abuse
  Availability
  Violence
  Production
  Transportation
  Distribution

Cocaine
  Abuse
  Availability
  Violence
  Production
  Transportation
  Distribution

Heroin
  Abuse
  Availability
  Violence
  Production
  Transportation
  Distribution

Other Dangerous Drugs
  LSD
  GHB
  MDMA
  Psilocybin
  Inhalants
  Diverted Pharmaceuticals

Outlook

Sources

List of Figures

Figure 1. Mexican methamphetamine cutting and packaging.
Figure 2. Distribution centers for methamphetamine in Wyoming.
Figure 3. Distribution centers for marijuana in Wyoming.
Figure 4. Distribution centers for cocaine in Wyoming.
Figure 5. Distribution centers for heroin in Wyoming.

List of Tables

Table 1. Methamphetamine Prices, Wyoming, FY1999-FY2001

Executive Summary

Mexican criminal groups dominate the production, transportation, and distribution of most illicit drugs in Wyoming. These groups are the primary transporters and distributors of methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine at the wholesale level. They transport illegal drugs to Wyoming primarily via the interstate highway system and, to a lesser extent, commercial air carriers and package delivery services. Local independent dealers dominate the retail distribution of methamphetamine, while Mexican criminal groups dominate the retail distribution of marijuana and powdered and crack cocaine.

Methamphetamine is the most significant drug threat to Wyoming and is the drug-investigative priority for federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. Authorities continue to report that a significant number of individuals are treated annually for methamphetamine abuse. Law enforcement officials report that Mexico-produced methamphetamine is the most common type available. Methamphetamine produced in California by Mexican criminal groups is also readily available, and high-purity methamphetamine produced in small quantities in Wyoming is also of great concern. The number of methamphetamine laboratory seizures has increased since 1996. Mexican criminal groups transport multipound quantities of the drug from Mexico as well as California and other western states to Wyoming for distribution.

Marijuana is the drug of choice in Wyoming. Most of the marijuana seized in the state is produced in Mexico. High-potency marijuana also is produced locally, primarily indoors and in small quantities. Local independent dealers distribute locally produced marijuana. Law enforcement agencies continue to devote resources to eradication and suppression activities.

Cocaine abuse in Wyoming remains stable at relatively low levels. Powdered cocaine and crack cocaine are seized in the state, although not in significant quantities. Law enforcement agencies throughout Wyoming report that Mexican criminal groups control the transportation as well as wholesale distribution of powdered cocaine and the retail distribution of powdered and crack cocaine in Wyoming.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation do not consider heroin a significant threat to Wyoming. Public treatment statistics indicate that there is a limited user population. Mexican black tar heroin is the most common type available in Wyoming. Typically, users travel to cities including Denver, Colorado, and Salt Lake City, Utah, to purchase personal-use quantities and may sell a portion of their purchase to fellow abusers.

Other dangerous drugs pose the least significant drug threat to Wyoming. However, Wyoming law enforcement agencies are concerned about the increasing use of LSD, GHB, MDMA, and psilocybin by young people at clubs and raves. MDMA and other club drugs are transported from the larger cities of Colorado and increasingly are available in Wyoming, particularly in the southeastern corner of the state. Inhalant abuse among youth is very high, and Wyoming currently has no laws governing the sale to minors of products commonly used as inhalants. Diverted pharmaceuticals are not widely abused in Wyoming, although state and local officials are watchful for a potential increase in the abuse of the prescription painkiller OxyContin. 

Addresses

National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901

Tel. (814) 532-4601
FAX (814) 532-4690
E-mail NDIC.Contacts@usdoj.gov

Tel. (703) 556-8970
FAX (703) 556-7807

Web Addresses

ADNET:  http://ndicosa 
      DOJ:  http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/
      LEO:  home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic/