Distribution

Powder methamphetamine and, increasingly, ice methamphetamine are distributed to a varying degree throughout the country. Law enforcement reporting indicates that powder methamphetamine distribution is widespread in the Midwest, Pacific, Southwest, and West Regions, moderate and increasing in the Southeast Region, and limited but increasing in the Northeast Region. Law enforcement reporting indicates that Mexican criminal groups control most wholesale distribution of powder methamphetamine in the Pacific, Southwest, and West as well as in many areas of the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast Regions where wholesale quantities of Mexican methamphetamine are distributed. Mexican criminal groups also control most midlevel distribution of powder methamphetamine throughout the country, particularly in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Regions, and supply other Mexican criminal groups, OMGs, and independent Caucasian and Hispanic midlevel distributors in all regions of the country. Retail powder methamphetamine distributors include Caucasian independent dealers, Hispanic street gangs, and OMGs; Caucasian independent dealers control most retail distribution in rural areas, which often consists of distributing small amounts of methamphetamine that they produce.

The distribution of ice methamphetamine, once limited to Guam, Hawaii, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Samoa, now is pervasive throughout the Pacific and Southwest Regions, and in many areas of the Midwest and West Regions. Ice distribution is comparatively limited in the Southeast and Northeast but has increased in these regions since 2002. California- and Mexico-based Mexican criminal groups control most wholesale distribution of ice methamphetamine in the United States; however, Asian criminal groups (including ethnic Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Thai, and Vietnamese) distribute wholesale amounts of the drug to a limited number of drug markets in the Pacific Region. Retail ice distributors include Caucasian independent dealers, Hispanic street gangs, and OMGs.

Primary Market Areas

Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, and San Francisco are the Primary Market Areas for methamphetamine because these cities have very high levels of methamphetamine abuse and are among the leading regional- or national-level methamphetamine distribution centers. Several other significant markets for methamphetamine either exhibit high levels of consumption or serve as distribution centers for the drug, although not to the extent of the four Primary Market Areas. For example, methamphetamine use in Seattle appears to be considerable as evidenced by a high number of ED mentions for methamphetamine; however, drug seizure data do not substantiate Seattle as a distribution center for methamphetamine at a level comparable with the Primary Market Areas. Conversely, Dallas appears to be a significant distribution center for methamphetamine based on EPIC drug seizure data; however, methamphetamine consumption in Dallas appears to be much lower than in the Primary Market Areas.

Methamphetamine use and distribution are extensive throughout the central United States and in many areas of the Southeast; however, the data indicate that no city in central or southeastern states has demonstrated a level of methamphetamine consumption or distribution comparable with that of the Primary Market Areas. Law enforcement agencies in states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas report widespread distribution; however, this distribution usually entails the sale of small amounts among friends and family members who produce methamphetamine in low capacity laboratories. To the extent that wholesale methamphetamine distribution occurs in these states, it usually involves the distribution by members of Mexican criminal groups of methamphetamine produced in Mexico or California superlabs. Despite limited data regarding methamphetamine consumption for most of the states listed above, the data that are available indicate significantly lower use in central and southeastern states than in the Primary Market Areas. For example, DAWN data for 2002 show that the number of methamphetamine-related ED mentions was much lower for Minneapolis (319), Atlanta (246), St. Louis (150), Dallas (98), and Chicago (42) than for Los Angeles (1,713), San Francisco (727), San Diego (598), and Phoenix (501).

Los Angeles. Methamphetamine use in Los Angeles is very high as evidenced by more ED mentions than any other DAWN reporting city. According to DAWN, the estimated number of methamphetamine-related ED mentions for Los Angeles (1,713) was much higher than the next highest city, San Francisco (727).

Methamphetamine distribution is pervasive throughout the Los Angeles area. According to the Los Angeles HIDTA, 63 of 110 identified criminal organizations in the Los Angeles area distribute methamphetamine. Mexican criminal groups control most wholesale and midlevel methamphetamine distribution within the Los Angeles area and also control most wholesale distribution of the drug from Los Angeles to other markets throughout the country. Hispanic street gangs, including 18th Street, Mara Salvatrucha, and Southside Gang, as well as prison gangs such as Mexican Mafia control most retail methamphetamine distribution in the Los Angeles area; however, local independent dealers also distribute the drug at the retail level.

EPIC drug seizure data indicate that Los Angeles is likely the largest distribution center for methamphetamine in the United States. Combined EPIC Pipeline, Convoy, and Jetway drug seizure data for 2002 and 2003 show that law enforcement reported 78 methamphetamine seizure events on domestic highways, railways, and at airports in which the Los Angeles area was identified as the city of origin for the methamphetamine shipment. Moreover, significantly more methamphetamine was seized in 2002 and 2003 that originated in the Los Angeles area (259 kg) than any other city. Drug seizure data also show that methamphetamine is distributed from the Los Angeles area to other significant markets including Atlanta, Denver, Des Moines and Davenport (IA), Kansas City (KS), Kansas City (MO), and San Francisco.

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Phoenix. Methamphetamine use in Phoenix is high and increasing as evidenced by a high number of ED mentions and an increase in methamphetamine-related deaths. According to DAWN data for 2002, Phoenix ranked fifth among DAWN reporting cities in the estimated number of ED mentions for methamphetamine (501) behind Los Angeles (1,713), San Francisco (727), San Diego (598), and Seattle (541). DAWN mortality data show that the number of methamphetamine-related deaths in Phoenix has increased steadily, more than doubling from 60 in 1998 to 132 in 2002.¹ Moreover, the proportion of methamphetamine-related deaths to all drug-related deaths increased from 15.3 percent in 1999 to 25.5 percent in 2002.

Mexican DTOs and criminal groups control most wholesale methamphetamine distribution in Phoenix, supplying midlevel and retail quantities to Hispanic street gangs such as Wetback Power and Sureņos, OMGs such as Hells Angels, and Caucasian and Mexican independent dealers. Phoenix-based independent producers also distribute retail quantities of the methamphetamine they produce.

EPIC Pipeline, Convoy, and Jetway data indicate that Phoenix is a significant distribution center for methamphetamine. Combined EPIC data for 2002 and 2003 show that law enforcement officials reported 19 methamphetamine seizure events in which Phoenix was identified as the city of origin for the shipment. Only Los Angeles (78) and San Francisco (22) were identified more often than Phoenix as the city of origin for methamphetamine shipments destined for domestic drug markets. Furthermore, more methamphetamine was seized in 2002 and 2003 that originated in Phoenix (69 kg) than any other city with the exception of Los Angeles (259 kg). EPIC data indicate that methamphetamine is distributed to several significant drug markets in the Midwest, Northeast, and Pacific Regions, including Akron (OH), Detroit, Kansas City (MO), Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, and Rapid City (SD).

San Francisco. The level of methamphetamine consumption in San Francisco is very high compared with most other cities. According to DAWN data, the estimated number of methamphetamine-related ED mentions in San Francisco increased from 611 in 2001 to 727 in 2002, second only to Los Angeles (1,713).

Mexican criminal groups control most wholesale and midlevel distribution of powder and ice methamphetamine in San Francisco, although Hawaiian, Filipino, and other Asian DTOs control the distribution of the ice they produce, particularly within Asian communities. Independent dealers and street gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha, 19th Street, Sureņos, Trece, and Eddy Street Mob are the primary retail distributors of methamphetamine in the San Francisco area.

EPIC Pipeline, Convoy, and Jetway drug seizure data show that the San Francisco area is among the leading methamphetamine distribution centers. Combined EPIC data for 2002 and 2003 indicate that law enforcement officials reported 22 powder methamphetamine seizure events on domestic highways, railways, and at airports in which the San Francisco area was identified as the origin for the methamphetamine shipment. In fact, only Los Angeles (78) was identified more often than San Francisco as the city of origin for methamphetamine seizure events. Furthermore, more methamphetamine was seized that originated in the San Francisco area (54 kg) than any other city, with the exception of Los Angeles (259 kg) and Phoenix (69 kg). EPIC seizure data indicate that methamphetamine is distributed from the San Francisco area to drug markets throughout the country including Anchorage, Des Moines (IA), Dutch Harbor (AK), Lihue (HI), Lynn Haven (FL), Memphis, New York, Omaha, Rupert (ID), and Sioux City (IA).

San Diego. Methamphetamine use in San Diego is very high. According to DAWN, the estimated number of methamphetamine-related ED mentions for San Diego (598) was surpassed only by Los Angeles (1,713) and San Francisco (727) among DAWN reporting cities in 2002.

Mexican DTOs and criminal groups are the primary wholesale and midlevel distributors of methamphetamine in the San Diego area. Street gangs and local independent dealers, usually supplied by Mexican criminal groups, control most retail distribution; however, independent producers also distribute smaller amounts of the methamphetamine they produce.

EPIC Pipeline, Convoy, and Jetway data indicate that San Diego is among the leading methamphetamine distribution centers. Combined EPIC data for 2002 and 2003 show that law enforcement officials reported 19 powder methamphetamine seizure events on domestic highways, railways, and at airports in which the methamphetamine shipment originated in the San Diego area. In fact, only Los Angeles (78) and San Francisco (22) were identified more than the San Diego area as cities of origin for methamphetamine shipments. Furthermore, the amount of methamphetamine seized during those events (29 kg) in 2002 and 2003 was exceeded only by the amount seized in Los Angeles (259 kg), Phoenix (69 kg), and the San Francisco area (54 kg). Drug seizure data also show that methamphetamine is distributed from the San Diego area to regional and national drug markets such as Atlanta, Chicago, Columbus (OH), Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Honolulu, Houston, Meridian (MS), Philadelphia, St. Paul (MN), and Washington, D.C.

End note

1. DAWN mortality data include information on drug-induced and drug-related deaths identified and submitted by death investigation jurisdictions participating in DAWN.

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