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Drug Situation: Methamphetamine, particularly crystal methamphetamine, which is produced in Mexico and the Southwest United States, remains the principal drug of concern in the State of Oklahoma. Cocaine, particularly crack cocaine, is a significant problem in the urban areas of the state. Oklahoma also serves as a transshipment point for drugs being transported to the eastern United States via Interstates 40 and 44. Interstate 35 also provides a critical north-south transportation avenue for drug traffickers.

Cocaine: Cocaine continues to be readily available throughout Oklahoma. The cocaine is transported from Texas and Mexico via commercial airlines and motor vehicles. Mexican polydrug traffickers dealing in marijuana and methamphetamine bring some of the cocaine into the state. Much of the cocaine HCl is converted into crack cocaine for sale at the retail level. Cocaine is distributed primarily by Mexican and African American traffickers. An increase in the number of cocaine couriers over the past year have been white females in their mid to late 30s. The majority of the cocaine purchased in the Oklahoma City area is transported in by local suppliers who travel to large cities in Texas and return to distribute the product.

Heroin: Black Tar heroin is available in extremely limited quantities near the metropolitan areas in Oklahoma. It is rare to encounter brown or white heroin. Colombian heroin hasn’t been seen in the state for several years. Demand for heroin has declined in recent years. The majority of heroin traffickers in Oklahoma receive their heroin from Mexico. Most of the heroin transported into Oklahoma is concealed in hidden compartments in passenger vehicles.

Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine from Mexico continues to be the primary drug of choice (other than marijuana) in Oklahoma, particularly the solid form (crystal) of methamphetamine has become more prevalent. Caucasian males and females are equally the primary users. Most of the methamphetamine in the state is brought in by Hispanic organizations via motor vehicles, commercial airlines, and mail delivery services. An increase in the amount of crystal methamphetamine has been seen over the past two years.

The number of local small “mom and pop” laboratories has declined significantly over the last two years. This decline is due primarily to the passage of Pseudoephedrine Control Laws in mid-2004. Since these laws were passed, the number of labs seized has decreased by approximately 80% in the State of Oklahoma.

Club Drugs: The state of Oklahoma is seeing an increase in the abuse of club drugs, such as MDMA and GHB. MDMA is found at rave parties in eastern and central Oklahoma. The majority of the MDMA seen in Oklahoma comes from the West Coast, Nevada, and Texas. A small number of seizures have involved MDMA originating in Canada.

Marijuana: Marijuana is readily available in all areas of Oklahoma. Marijuana is the main illegal drug of abuse in the state. Marijuana imported from Mexico is prevalent and is usually imported in combination with other illegal drugs being transported to Oklahoma and other states north and east. The majority of the marijuana is imported from the southwest border via passenger vehicle and occasionally in freight vehicles. Mexican “Sensimilla”, usually found in “pressed/brick” form, is the most common type of marijuana seen in Oklahoma, particularly in urban areas.

Domestically produced marijuana is also available in Oklahoma, though not as readily in recent years. Oklahoma, along with several other southern states, has endured severe drought conditions over the past three years. This situation has affected the local production of marijuana.

Other Drugs: The most popular pharmaceutical substances abused /diverted in Oklahoma are Vicodin, Lortab, diazepam, alprazolam, Fentanyl, phentermine, and codeine based cough syrups. Much of the diversion is through indiscriminate prescribing, fraudulent prescriptions, doctor shopping, pharmacy break-ins, and hospital thefts. Methadone is a pharmaceutical drug of abuse on the rise in Oklahoma.

Pharmaceutical Diversion: Current investigations indicate that diversion of hydrocodone products continues to be the most common drug of abuse/diversion. As indicated above, the primary methods of diversion are indiscriminate prescribing (Physicians issueing prescriptions for controlled substances without a legitimate medical need), “doctor shopping” (going to a number of doctors to obtain prescriptions for a controlled pharmaceutical), forged /falsified prescriptions, and thefts. Methadone and codeine based cough syrups have recently been identified as a growing abuse problem in Oklahoma.

DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams: This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts was conceived in 1995 in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation. Since the inception of the MET Program, 473 deployments have been completed nationwide, resulting in 19,643 arrests. There have been five MET deployments in the State of Oklahoma since the inception of the program. In March 2005, the METs prioritized investigations to target and dismantle methamphetamine trafficking organizations and clandestine laboratory operators. At least four of the MET deployments targeted methamphetamine trafficking organizations.

Other Enforcement Operations: The number of Operation Pipeline interdictions is increasing within the state of Oklahoma. California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas are most often reported as the domestic states of origin. Since the state of Oklahoma is traversed by numerous Interstate Highways, interdictions are common in all areas. Seizures of illicit drugs traveling through Oklahoma en route to their destinations north and east are routine, as well as seizures of large amounts of currency en route to the west and southwest border states.

DEA Regional Enforcement Teams: This program was designed to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting drug organizations operating in the United States where there is a lack of sufficient local drug law enforcement. This program was conceived in 1999 in response to the threat posed by drug trafficking organizations that have established networks of cells to conduct drug trafficking operations in smaller, non-traditional trafficking locations in the United States. As of January 31, 2005, there have been 27 deployments nationwide, and one deployment in the U.S. Virgin Islands, resulting in 671 arrests. There has been one RET deployment in the State of Oklahoma since the inception of the program, in McAlester.

Drug Courts/Treatment Centers: There are currently Twenty-two drug courts operating in the state of Oklahoma with eleven more in the planning stages.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, there are currently 148 drug and alcohol treatment centers operating in the state of Oklahoma.

Current Laws Regarding Criminal Sanctions and Precursor Chemicals: Over the past several years, the Oklahoma Legislature has passed numerous laws regarding methamphetamine and its precursor chemicals. These include additional penalties for manufacturing methamphetamine in the presence of minors; possessing or distributing methamphetamine in the vicinity of schools, public parks, public pools or on a marked school bus; and for tampering with anhydrous ammonia equipment. Any possession of anhydrous ammonia in unapproved containers is considered prima facie evidence of manufacture. Any possession of three (3) ingredients such as iodine, red phosphorous and ether is considered prima facie evidence of intent to manufacture methamphetamine. The average lab manufacturing sentence in the state is approximately 20 years. House Bill 2316 passed both the Oklahoma House and Senate in May 2002 and went in to effect on July 1, 2002. This new law puts a 24 gram limit on all cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine or ephedrine. The charge carries a five year maximum sentence. If a retailer knowingly distributes pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine with the knowledge that it will be used to manufacture methamphetamine, the sentence carries a maximum of ten years incarceration. House Bill 1326, effective July 1, 2003 requires state registration (mirroring Federal Law) for the handling/distribution of products containing Pseudoephedrine at both the wholesale and retail levels.

House Bill 2176, signed into law in April 2004, made all hard tablet Pseudoephedrine a Schedule V controlled substance in Oklahoma. Products in the form of gel capsules, liquid capsules, and/or liquid preparations are exempt. Hard tablet form may be dispensed by a licensed Oklahoma pharmacist or technician without a prescription to a consumer provided that such dispensing does not exceed nine grams of pseudoephedrine in any 30 day period. Also, a signature in a record book and an identification card with photo is required of all persons who purchase, receive, or otherwise acquire pseudoephedrine tablets.

The ‘‘Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005’’ (CMEA) - The CMEA was signed into law on March 9, 2006 to regulate, among other things, retail over-the-counter sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine products. Retail provisions of the CMEA include daily sales limits and 30-day purchase limits, placement of product out of direct customer access, sales logbooks, customer ID verification, employee training, and self-certification of regulated sellers.

New Legislation: House Bill 2176 was presented to the Senate in March 2004 and is expected to be signed into law by Governor Brad Henry within the next few months. This Bill calls for Pseudoephedrine to be included as a Schedule V controlled substance.

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Factsheet last updated: 6/2007