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DEA
Congressional Testimony
Statement
by:
George J.
Cazenavette, III
Special Agent in Charge
New Orleans Field Division
Drug Enforcement Administration
Before
the:
Subcommittee
on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources
Date:
May 30, 2000
Note: This document
may not reflect changes made in actual delivery.
Congressman Mica,
distinguished members of the Subcommittee: I am pleased to have the opportunity
to appear before you today to discuss the growing dangers and concerns
of drug trafficking in the New Orleans metropolitan area. I would first
like to thank the Subcommittee for its continued support of the Drug Enforcement
Administration (DEA) and overall support of drug law enforcement.
As you are well aware,
the alarming spread of illegal drug abuse by our youth is having a profound
affect in communities throughout the United States, including the New
Orleans metropolitan area. It is fair to say that increasing use of such
drugs as ecstasy and methamphetamine by our youth is quickly becoming
one of the most significant law enforcement and social issues facing our
nation today. Between 1998 and 1999, past year use of ecstasy rose by
a third among 10th graders, and by 56 percent among 12th
graders.
Because DEA is the
only single-mission federal agency dedicated to drug law enforcement,
the agency has developed and further advanced our ability to direct resources
and manpower to identify, target, and dismantle drug organizations headquartered
overseas and within the United States. In carrying out its mission, DEA
is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of criminals and
drug gangs who perpetrate violence in our communities and terrorize citizens
through fear and intimidation. The drug organizations operating today
have an unprecedented level of sophistication and are more powerful and
influential than any of the organized crime enterprises preceding them.
The leaders of these drug trafficking organizations oversee a multi-billion
dollar cocaine and heroin industry that has wreaked havoc on communities
throughout the United States.
In an effort to diminish
the flow of drugs into this area, the New Orleans Field Division has dedicated
six enforcement groups that actively investigate drug trafficking organizations
responsible for the transportation and distribution of drugs throughout
the metropolitan area. This area represents the largest metropolitan area
in Louisiana with more than 1.2 million residents, including the cities
of New Orleans, Slidell, and Kenner, as well as Jefferson, Saint Bernard,
Saint Tammany and Saint Charles Parishes.
These enforcement
groups work predominantly in a multi-agency environment, several of which
include task forces made up of Federal, state, and local law enforcement
agencies in the New Orleans metropolitan area as well as the surrounding
areas of Slidell and Hammond, Louisiana. Investigations are conducted
to target organizations who transport and distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride
(HCL) and crack cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, LSD, MDMA,
GHB and Ketamine, all of which are trafficked and abused drugs in the
New Orleans metropolitan area.
Drugs
Available in New Orleans:
Historically, the
vast majority of cocaine smuggled into the greater New Orleans area is
controlled by Colombian Drug Trafficking Organizations. Typically, these
organizations - consisting of mid-level traffickers answering to bosses
in Colombia - continue to be organized around compartmented "cells" that
operate within a given geographic region. Some cells specialize in a particular
facet of the drug trade, such as cocaine transport, storage, wholesale
distribution, or money laundering. Each cell, which may be comprised of
10 or more employees, operates with little or no knowledge about the membership
in, or drug operation of, other cells. Consequently, cocaine HCL and crack
cocaine saturate all parts of New Orleans. In either form, it is available
in all segments of society, including all areas of the city and suburbs,
as well as the southern parishes.
Crack cocaine is
an inexpensive, purified form of cocaine which is processed into tiny
chips or chunks. Soon after crack first appeared, in the early to mid-1980's,
crack abuse swept through the country. Three factors contributed to this:
first, the drug was cheap and affordable; second, it was easy to smoke;
and third, its effects were rapid and intense. Because of this rapid high,
crack is more quickly addicting; it is also cheap enough to be available
to young and poor users. These factors have made crack an extremely marketable
product. In the New Orleans metropolitan area, crack is distributed by
both Colombian and Mexican trafficking organizations. Once cocaine HCL
is transported to the New Orleans area, it is converted into crack. It
is divided into packages consisting of dosage quantities to multi-ounce
quantities before it is sold to lower level street vendors for further
distribution. One member of a violent crack cocaine organization recently
pled guilty after being arrested as a passenger in a vehicle transporting
17 kilograms of cocaine from Houston to New Orleans.
Marijuana found in
the New Orleans area generally originates in Mexico and is transported
into the area primarily from Texas concealed in hidden compartments of
privately owned vehicles or tractor-trailers. This drug is commonly used
by all racial and socioeconomic classes and is often used in conjunction
with crack cocaine and other drugs. Although dangers exist for marijuana
users of all ages, risk is greatest for the young. For them, the impact
of marijuana on learning is critical, and often proves pivotal in the
failure to master vital interpersonal skills. Another concern is marijuana's
role as a "gateway drug," which makes subsequent use of more potent and
disabling substances more likely. The Center on Addiction and Substance
Abuse at Columbia University found adolescents who smoke marijuana 85
times more likely to use cocaine than non-smoking peers.
Heroin in New Orleans
is still principally found in powder form within the inner city areas
such as housing projects and lower economic areas. Recent trends, however,
indicate that it is also becoming more available in the suburban areas
surrounding the city. During the 1990's heroin use started to rise as
the addict population grew and changed. Heroin on the street became purer;
the price stayed the same; and more young and middle-class Americans began
using the drug. According to DEA's Domestic Monitor Program (DMP), the
majority of heroin seized in New Orleans since 1997 was white or yellow
confirming that it originated in South America or Southeast Asia. Through
the DMP, the Drug Enforcement Administration is able to collect accurate
information regarding the nature of the domestic heroin problem, including
price and purity data, trends and patterns of use, marketing practices
and availability.
One recent investigation
in New Orleans resulted in the seizure of one pound of uncut Colombian
heroin and the arrest of ten individuals who were members of an international
organization with strong ties to New York. New Orleans has also experienced
a recent influx of Mexican black tar heroin as evidenced by another investigation
that resulted in the seizure of approximately 1/2 kilogram of black tar
heroin from an organization in California that was transported to New
Orleans aboard a commercial airline. In yet another investigation, three
members of an international organization with links to Texas were arrested
for conspiracy and distribution of approximately 3/4 kilogram of heroin.
Generally speaking, however, most heroin trafficking groups in our division
will not distribute quantities of heroin above the ounce level in order
to avoid law enforcement scrutiny. There is little doubt that this is
due to strict state laws that mandate a life sentence without benefit
of probation or suspension of sentence for heroin distribution.
Recent statistics
from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) also indicate that the consequences
of heroin abuse is increasing in the New Orleans area. Through DAWN statistics,
DEA is kept abreast of drug abuse developments and trends throughout the
nation. Current information obtained from New Orleans area narcotics treatment
centers support the DAWN statistics and suggest that the majority of heroin
hospital emergency room admissions were African-American/Males in the
city of New Orleans and Caucasian/Males in the suburbs. In both areas
of New Orleans, the majority (55 percent), of these heroin admissions
was under 35. While heroin continues to be injected, intranasal use is
becoming increasingly popular with users 18-25 years old. This is primarily
due to the wider availability of high-purity South American heroin.
"Club"
and "Designer" Drugs: An Emerging Epidemic:
In addition to the
rise in heroin abuse, New Orleans is also experiencing an alarming increase
in club and designer drugs used by teenagers and young adults in nightclubs,
rave venues, parties, and drinking establishments. No place is this more
evident than at the rave functions that have become so popular throughout
the New Orleans metropolitan area, as well as across the country. These
rave functions, which are parties known for loud techno-music and dancing
at underground locations, regularly host several thousand teenagers and
young adults who use MDMA, LSD, GHB, Ketamine, and Methamphetamine, alone
or in various combinations. The age range for raves in the New Orleans
area is 15-24, with the mean age range of between 18-22. This poly-drug
abuse has been supported by information acquired during interviews with
hospital emergency room physicians and local law enforcement officials.
"Club" and "Designer"
drugs have become such an integral part of the rave circuit that there
no longer appears to be an attempt to conceal their use. Rather, drugs
are sold and used openly at these parties. Traditional and non-traditional
sources continue to report the flagrant and open drug use at "raves."
Intelligence indicates that it has also become commonplace for security
at these parties to ignore drug use and sales on the premises. In 1998,
several teenagers died in New Orleans from overdoses while attending a
rave party. Tragically, many teens do not perceive these drugs as harmful
or dangerous. Ecstasy is marketed to teens as a "feel good" drug and is
widely known at raves as the "hug drug." One ambulance service has since
advised that at least 70 requests for emergency medical assistance in
the past two years were made relative to overdoses at rave events.
MDMA, also known
as Ecstasy, LSD, Rohypnol and GHB are the most popular drugs among the
rave scene because of their long lasting effects, inexpensive cost, and
ready availability. Reports indicate that ravers in the New Orleans area
use a variety of forms of MDMA which makes it the predominate club drug
and its abuse far exceeds other substances.
Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate
(GHB) is easily accessible at rave parties and is currently popular among
teenagers and young adults in the New Orleans area. Commonly referred
to as a date-rape drug, GHB was originally used as a substitute anabolic
steroid for strength training, bodybuilding and weight control. It was
also alleged to be a growth hormone releasing agent to stimulate muscles.
GHB costs approximately $10 per dose in New Orleans and is frequently
mixed with amphetamine in an alcoholic drink. This drink, known as a Max,
has allegedly appeared in New Orleans. Hospital officials throughout the
New Orleans metropolitan area have reported that as GHB has grown in popularity
among ravers, overdoses have increased significantly.
Gamma Butyrolactose
(GBL), the solvent precursor for GHB, can be found in products such as
Invigorate, Blue Nitro, and Renewtrient at some health food and nutrition
stores as well as on the Internet. A little over a year ago, three fourteen-year-old
girls in Jefferson Parish used one of these products containing GBL and
were later admitted to a hospital after being found lying in the driveway
of a home. The girls were unconscious and bleeding from the nose. Law
enforcement officials had limited options at that time to combat this
abuse since these substances were not yet regulated by DEA (note: On February
18, 2000, GBL became a Schedule I chemical and is now subject to criminal,
civil, and administrative sanctions of the Controlled Substances Act).
Rohypnol, also known
as a date-rape drug, is popular at raves among high school and college
students who, take the drug with alcohol or use it after cocaine ingestion.
Popular because of its low cost of only $5-10 per tablet and the misconception
that it is safe and cannot be detected by urinalysis, Rohypnol is a Schedule
IV controlled substance under both state and Federal law.
LSD first emerged
as a popular drug of the psychedelic generation in the 1960's. Its popularity
appeared to decline in the late 1970's, an effect attributed to a broader
awareness of its hazardous effects, though it never completely vanished
from the drug subculture. Over the past decade, there has been a resurgence
of LSD abuse, especially among young adults. Liquid LSD has been seized
in Visine bottles at rave functions. LSD is also sold at raves in the
New Orleans area on very small perforated paper squares that are either
blank or have a cartoon-figure design.
As of August 1999,
Ketamine, also known as "Special K," was placed in Schedule III of the
Controlled Substance Act. Used primarily by veterinarians as an anesthetic,
Ketamine produces hallucinogenic effects similar to PCP with the visual
effects of LSD. One recent report stated that Ketamine has been stolen
from veterinary supply sources in Louisiana. Additional information indicates
that some dentists in the New Orleans area are now diverting Ketamine
into the illicit market. Law enforcement officials have reported the Ketamine
in powder form appears very similar to a pharmaceutical grade of cocaine
HCL. In its powder form, the user snorts Ketamine in the same manner as
cocaine at 5-10 minute intervals until the desired effect is obtained.
There were three Ketamine deaths reported in New Orleans in 1998.
A noteworthy trend
is the recent emergence of female drug dealers at raves, which is a deviation
from the traditional profile of male drug dealers at these functions.
The distributors at raves and their "runners" are generally in their teens.
This is probably because teenagers are not only contemporaries of the
rave subculture, but also because they are less likely to be suspected
and are subject to limited prosecution due to their age. Many of these
drug dealers sell drugs to support their own personal use, while profit
or a perception of social status motivates others. Another advantage to
recruiting young drug dealers is that they are easily intimidated by their
source of supply. There have been instances where Disc Jockeys were involved
in the distribution of club drugs. These Disc Jockeys concealed their
narcotics in sound equipment such as speaker boxes and distributed drugs
from the Disc Jockey area at the rave functions.
"Runners" are usually
advanced a supply of drugs to sell at a rave function and will return
to the Disc Jockey area for another supply while delivering the proceeds
of sales to the supplier. Further information has confirmed that runners
are usually given V.I.P. badges that allow them to come and go from the
Disc Jockey area at their discretion. The sources of supply routinely
employ bodyguards or other security measures and generally remain in the
Disc Jockey area, rarely selling the drugs directly to the customer.
Enforcement
Initiatives:
The New Orleans Field
Division has recognized that enforcement operations which target designer
or club drug distribution at the raves are different from the enforcement
efforts required to combat other illicit drugs, such as cocaine and heroin.
This is largely due to strict Federal sentencing guidelines for drug thresholds
that make it difficult to prosecute club and designer drug trafficking
at the federal level. As such, the vast majority of cases involving club
and designer drugs are prosecuted in the state system.
Of note, one recent
MDMA investigation resulted in the arrests of members of an organization
who were transporting MDMA from Houston to be distributed in New Orleans,
Miami, and New York. Members of this organization were responsible for
distributing thousands of dosage unit quantities of MDMA to high school
and college students primarily at rave functions in the New Orleans area.
In a post arrest statement, one member of this organization stated that
he was also selling MDMA to students at a local area high school. Another
member of the organization stated that he distributed MDMA tablets at
rave functions in New Orleans for about $10-$15 each. This individual
further stated that he had distributed about 250,000 MDMA tablets in about
20 trips to New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana. One of the smuggling
techniques this organization used was to body carry MDMA tablets for delivery
aboard commercial airlines. On at least one occasion, MDMA was deposited
in a storage vault in New Orleans before it was distributed and sold at
the rave functions in the New Orleans area by the runners.
Recently, Special
Agents of the New Orleans Field Division seized two GBL labs in Lafayette,
Louisiana, that included 70 ounces of diluted GBL packaged and ready for
sale, along with several hundred boxes used for packaging 32 ounce plastic
bottles. GBL was mixed with water and potassium sorbate, which is a preservative.
The mixture was cut in a ten-to-one ratio, costing only $1.25 to fill
a 32 ounce bottle. The end product was sold to customers over the internet
for $60-$90. There is a strong possibility that orders for GBL might have
been purchased by ravers in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Louisiana
lawmakers are so concerned over the number of young overdose victims that
a bill has been filed through the special session that will add GBL to
the list of illegal depressants, treating it like other date-rape drugs.
Conclusion:
The DEA is continually
working to develop and revise strategies to enhance enforcement effectiveness
and aggressively develop investigations to dismantle significant drug
trafficking organizations affecting the New Orleans metropolitan area.
We are confident that with the dedicated and tireless efforts of all our
employees, we will continue to successfully address not only existing
drug problems, but be proactive in devising strategies to address emerging
trends in drug trafficking.
To further complement
our enforcement initiatives, and in an effort to educate and alert the
citizens of New Orleans, DEA frequently conducts drug-related training
and workshops throughout the New Orleans metropolitan area. Over the past
year alone, the Demand Reduction Program has provided peer leadership
and DWI programs in the area schools. Numerous workshops were offered
to train teachers, parents, classrooms, and youth leadership, all of which
were well received. This past March twelve youths from the New Orleans
metropolitan area attended the National Drug Leadership Conference hosted
by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Pensacola, Florida. Next month,
training is scheduled for coordinators in the Safe and Drug Free Schools
Program. All of these training opportunities and workshops provide the
Drug Enforcement Administration a positive avenue to educate the youth
about the devastating effects and consequences of drug use and at the
same time steer them towards a healthy and successful future.
I thank you for providing
me the opportunity to address the Subcommittee, and I look forward to
taking any questions you may have on this important issue.
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