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Title:New Jersey Drug Threat AssessmentPublication Date: May 2001Document ID: 2001-S0378NJ-001
Available New Jersey Assessments
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Contents |
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Cocaine Heroin |
Marijuana Methamphetamine |
Other Dangerous Drugs |
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List of TablesTable 1. Port Statistics, New Jersey, 1991-1999 |
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Executive SummaryThe distribution and use of illegal drugs continue to pose a serious threat to the safety and security of New Jersey citizens. Powdered cocaine and crack cocaine are readily available and are associated with more violent crime than any other drug, making cocaine the state's primary drug threat. Low cost, high-purity heroin is nearly as serious a threat. The user population is younger and using the high-purity drug increases health risks. Heroin may surpass cocaine as the primary drug threat in New Jersey; it already has in some areas of the state. Marijuana is the most prevalent drug in New Jersey, and abuse is high, particularly among teenagers and young adults. The production and use of methamphetamine are a growing concern for law enforcement officials since users have a propensity toward violence. The availability of other dangerous drugs, particularly MDMA and GHB associated with rave parties, is rapidly increasing. Pharmaceutical diversion of drugs such as Adderall, Dexedrine, Ritalin and most recently OxyContin, is a developing threat in New Jersey, and law enforcement officials report that pharmaceutical diversion is a lucrative business. Cocaine poses the most serious drug threat in New Jersey. Powdered cocaine and crack are readily available, account for a high number of treatment admissions and more convictions than any other drug, and are commonly associated with violent crime including assaults, drive-by shootings, and homicides. Colombian drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) are the dominant cocaine suppliers for New Jersey-based criminal groups. Colombian DTOs and Dominican criminal groups control most of the wholesale distribution of cocaine in New Jersey, depending on the area. African American criminal groups, particularly in southern New Jersey, and Dominican criminal groups throughout the state are the dominant retail distributors. Heroin, primarily South American, represents the second most significant problem, and may soon surpass cocaine as the primary drug threat in New Jersey. High purity, low cost heroin is readily available in the state. New Jersey has one of the highest rates of treatment for heroin use in the nation, a high death rate, and a user population that has expanded to include young, middle-class individuals. The same groups that control cocaine supply and distribution also control the supply and distribution of South American heroin in the state. Nigerian and other West African criminal organizations smuggle Southeast Asian heroin, while Lebanese, Pakistani, Nigerian, and other criminal groups smuggle Southwest Asian heroin to New Jersey. Cannabis cultivation and marijuana use are widespread in New Jersey. Law enforcement officers in the state seized over 37,000 tons of the drug between 1995 and 1999. Marijuana is the most readily available, least expensive illicit drug in New Jersey, but remains a lower threat than cocaine and heroin because it is not commonly associated with violent crime. The rural areas of New Jersey provide many opportunities for growing cannabis outdoors; however, sophisticated indoor grow operations that produce high quality marijuana are increasing in number and volume. Mexican, Jamaican, and Caucasian criminal groups dominate the distribution of marijuana, some of which is transported in tractor-trailers from the Southwest Border to New Jersey. Methamphetamine distribution and use are an increasing threat in New Jersey; however, the threat remains low when compared with other drugs. P2P is the most common production method used in the state. Traditional organized crime groups supply methamphetamine to outlaw motorcycle gangs and local independent Caucasian criminal groups that distribute the drug in New Jersey, primarily in the central and southern counties, and to states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Teenagers and young adults also sell methamphetamine at raves. Other dangerous drugs (ODDs) such as MDMA, GHB, and khat are a growing threat in New Jersey. Many ODDs are commonly available at raves, nightclubs, and on college campuses. ODDs are popular with teenagers and young adults, especially those who attend raves in the rural areas of New Jersey, where the drugs are easily accessible. Cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine are also available at raves and have been taken in combination with other drugs such as MDMA and GHB. Money laundering continues to be a major problem in New Jersey. Drug proceeds, particularly from cocaine and heroin, historically have been laundered in New Jersey. New Jersey's proximity to New York (a major financial center) and its array of transportation options continue to offer unique alternatives for bulk shipments of cash and other money laundering techniques. Money launderers use Atlantic City casinos to convert cash into casino chips or tokens and write checks on casino bank accounts. However, a state law enacted in 1999 makes penalties for some methods of money laundering equivalent to those for murder and rape. This law did not affect the state's wire transfer franchises and check cashing outlets, and drug money launderers continue to use these methods. |
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Addresses |
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National
Drug Intelligence Center Tel.
(814) 532-4601 |
National
Drug Intelligence Center 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 McLean, VA 22102-3840 Tel. (703) 556-8970 |
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Web AddressesADNET: http://ndicosa
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