Drug Situation: Sharing a border with Canada, Washington is a transshipment point for drugs and monies entering Canada, as well as Canadian marijuana (street name BC Bud), MDMA (street name Ecstasy) and other drugs entering the United States. Canadian criminal organizations have used profits from the sale of high-potency BC Bud marijuana to purchase cocaine for redistribution in Canada. In particular, Vietnamese organized crime groups and Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs such as the Hell’s Angels are suspected of heavy involvement in this activity. Crystal methamphetamine is widely available in Washington and distributed by Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations. The greater Yakima Valley is home to large scale drug trafficking organizations responsible for the distribution of drugs throughout the United States. Money laundering and bulk cash smuggling are additional threats in Washington, with organizations engaging in a variety of methods to legitimize and reposition illicit proceeds.

Cocaine: Cocaine and crack cocaine are readily available. Crack cocaine is most prevalent in low income, urban areas. Wholesale quantities of cocaine HCl are primarily controlled by Mexican drug organizations. These organizations, with connections to large scale traffickers in California and Mexico, are the main groups responsible for cocaine destined for Washington. Cocaine is consumed in the state and smuggled into Canada for redistribution.

Heroin: The most common type of heroin encountered in Washington is Mexican black tar heroin. Mexican drug trafficking organizations, which also traffic methamphetamine and cocaine, remain the primary source for black tar heroin in Washington. Black tar heroin is produced in Mexico and transported from distribution cities in southern California directly to western and eastern Washington.

Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is a widely abused drug in Washington and one which impacts all levels of the community. Methamphetamine in powder form (methamphetamine HCl) and a more potent form known as “ice” (crystal methamphetamine) are readily available throughout the state. Mexican drug trafficking organizations are primarily responsible for the importation and distribution of methamphetamine, most of which is now produced in Mexico. Small, toxic labs within the state have decreased over the years but are still encountered. Crystal methamphetamine now dominates the market in Washington as the preferred form of methamphetamine.

Club Drugs: MDMA (4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is smuggled into Washington primarily from Canada. Increasing bulk shipment incidents reported at the U.S./Canada border illustrate the continuing popularity of MDMA and the efforts of drug trafficking organizations to use the state as a transshipment point for MDMA loads destined for Seattle and various U.S. locations. The manufacture of MDMA within Canada is noted to have escalated, and MDMA laboratory activity has been encountered in Washington.

Other synthetic drugs such as GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), and 5-MeO-DIPT (5-methoxy-n, ndiisopropyltryptamine/street name Foxy) have been seen on a smaller scale.

Marijuana: Marijuana is readily available throughout the state. Three types are generally encountered: locally grown (either from indoor or outdoor grow operations), Canadian BC Bud from British Columbia, and Mexican marijuana. Of these varieties, locally grown sinsemilla and BC Bud are preferred because of its higher THC content. BC Bud marijuana is available in the state, particularly in the larger metropolitan areas, which also serve as major transshipment points for BC Bud distributed throughout the United States. The outdoor cultivation of marijuana by Mexican nationals on private land as well as state and federal forest lands and parks is increasing.

Pharmaceutical Diversion: In the United States, prescription drugs are the second most abused drug by youth. The primary methods of diversion of legitimate pharmaceuticals continues to be illegal dispensing and prescribing by physicians, illegal distribution by pharmacists, prescription forgery, doctor shopping, and drug thefts from pharmacies, nursing homes, and hospitals. Pharmacy burglaries are prevalent throughout the state and Diversion Investigators are also encountering pharmaceuticals that have been purchased via the Internet without a doctor’s prescription. The abuse and trafficking of oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), and anabolic steroids continues to be a concern, while Methadone use has increased dramatically in Washington.

More information about the Seattle Division Office.

Sources

Factsheet last updated: 6/2007