National Drug Intelligence Center   California Border Alliance Group Drug Market Analysis 2009   March 2009

Drug Threat Overview

Mexican ice methamphetamine2 trafficking and abuse are the predominant drug threats to the CBAG region. The U.S.-Mexico border in California accounts for the largest volume of methamphetamine smuggled into the United States from Mexico. However, enhanced precursor chemical control restrictions and law enforcement efforts in Mexico along with increased methamphetamine seizures at the border have reduced the availability of Mexican methamphetamine in the region. Despite the apparent ability of Mexican DTOs to obtain precursor chemicals from Central and South American countries, their production capabilities remain lower than in previous years. Additionally, National Seizure System (NSS) data reveal that methamphetamine seizures in San Diego and Imperial Counties increased 20 percent from 2007 to 2008. (See Table 1.) Reduced ice methamphetamine availability in the CBAG region is reflected in prices for the drug, which increased significantly from 2007 through the first 3 quarters of calendar year 2008 before stabilizing at year's end. For example, a pound of ice methamphetamine sold for between $9,000 and $12,500 in San Diego County in 2007; the price increased to between $18,000 and $23,000 per pound through the third quarter of 2008. Methamphetamine is one of the most abused drugs in the region, second only to marijuana. Methamphetamine abusers in the region are engaging in a significant number of drug-related crimes, including identity theft, assault, burglary, and domestic violence.

Table 1. Drug Seizures in San Diego and Imperial Counties, in Kilograms, 2004-2008

Source: National Seizure System data, as of January 14, 2009.

Mexican commercial-grade marijuana, domestically grown marijuana, and Canadian high-potency marijuana are readily available throughout the CBAG region. Mexican DTOs dominate and control the Mexican marijuana market. Law enforcement reports that in 2008, some outdoor marijuana crops were fully mature and harvested in May, a full month earlier than in previous years. This early harvest could possibly be attributable to a new strain of marijuana seed or early planting by cultivators in an indoor operation for subsequent seedling transfer to outdoor gardens. Additionally, the availability of high-potency marijuana, produced at an increasing number of indoor cannabis grow sites in the region as well as at domestic locations outside the region, is rising. An average outdoor grow site in the region typically contains 1,000 or more cannabis plants, while indoor grows generally contain 200 or more plants.

Mexican black tar heroin and brown powder heroin are prevalent in the area; the CBAG region is a major transportation corridor used by Mexican DTOs to smuggle Mexican heroin from the U.S.-Mexico border in California to the Los Angeles metropolitan area--a national-level distribution center for Mexican heroin. NSS data reveal that the amount of heroin seized in San Diego and Imperial Counties increased 96 percent from 2007 to 2008 (See Table 1.) This increase is very likely the result of reduced opium poppy eradication efforts and rising heroin production in Mexico, which are fueling the expansion of Mexican heroin distribution in the United States.

Cocaine, controlled prescription drugs (CPDs), and other dangerous drugs (ODDs) are also available throughout the CBAG region. Cocaine is readily available; the region did not experience the cocaine shortages and purity reductions reported in the past year in other areas of the United States. CPDs are commonplace throughout the CBAG region because of the area's proximity to Mexico and the relative ease with which abusers and dealers can purchase these drugs from Mexican pharmacies. As a result, an increasing number of young adults in San Diego are abusing OxyContin (oxycodone). ODDs, such as MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy), ketamine, and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) are available in the CBAG region, but they pose lesser threats than other drugs of abuse.

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Drug Trafficking Organizations

Mexican DTOs, primarily the Arellano Félix Organization (AFO) and the Sinaloa Cartel,3 are the principal organizational threats to the CBAG region--they are the dominant transporters and distributors of illicit drugs. They exert more influence over drug trafficking in the CBAG region than any other trafficking group, largely because of their extensive cross-border trafficking networks and their expansive transportation and distribution operations. Mexican DTOs manage complex smuggling, transportation, and distribution networks that compartmentalize duties; employ advanced security and communication techniques; gather intelligence; and use violence and intimidation to deter law enforcement authorities, control organization members, and secure smuggling territories. Mexican DTOs appear to have moved away from traditional hierarchical structures in favor of decentralized networks of interdependent, task-oriented cells. The diversity of the individual cells provides operational flexibility to Mexican DTOs and reduces the risk of apprehension for DTO leaders.

The AFO's drug trafficking capabilities have been diminished over the past few years because of the death or capture of several of its leaders--the current leadership structure has yet to be ascertained by Mexican and U.S. law enforcement officials. Despite its weakened structure, the AFO reportedly maintains ties with DTOs in Bolivia, Colombia, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela to aid the organization in its drug trafficking activities.

Mexican DTOs in the CBAG region generally use cell phones, particularly prepaid phones, to conduct drug transactions. Additionally, Mexican DTOs are increasingly using cell phones with push-to-talk capability, text messaging, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and satellite radios.

A number of prominent and influential prison and street gangs are active in the CBAG area. Street and prison gangs such as 18th Street and Mexican Mafia (La Eme), along with a number of Barrio Logan gangs, maintain significant influence over most of the local suburban and rural gangs in the area. These gangs work closely with Mexican DTOs located in Tijuana, Mexico, to smuggle drugs and illegal aliens into the United States. Law enforcement reporting indicates that Mexican DTOs have also cultivated mutually beneficial relationships with other gangs in the CBAG region to facilitate drug trafficking activities. For instance, Mexican DTOs in Tijuana conceal black tar heroin in vehicles and hire street gang members from North County to drive the vehicles into the United States, where they transfer the heroin to members of the Mexican DTO. Other street gangs, such as Posole, Vista Homeboys, Deep Valley Bloods, Varrios San Marcos, and South Los, engage in drug distribution, assault, auto theft, robbery, homicide, money laundering, and firearms trafficking. These gangs are becoming more sophisticated in their operations and are evolving into well-structured organizations. Somali street gangs, such as Holy Blood Gang (HBG) and the Mission Clicc, are also present in the San Diego area and are involved in a number of criminal activities, such as drug trafficking, robbery, assault, prostitution, and theft of cell phones, baby formula, and food stamps.

Footnotes

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