Distribution

Illicit drugs smuggled from Mexico into the West Texas HIDTA region are typically transported to stash houses in El Paso or Midland/Odessa, where the drugs are consolidated, repackaged, and transshipped to drug markets nationwide. The primary transshipment point for drugs smuggled into the western half of the HIDTA is El Paso, while Midland/Odessa is the principal transshipment point for drugs smuggled into the eastern half of the HIDTA. These transshipment points are used by Mexican DTOs to supply significant market areas, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, and Kansas City; most drugs are transported from the HIDTA region to distribution centers over interstate and secondary highways. Mexican DTOs generally use stash houses located throughout the area to store illicit drugs prior to shipment. Because of the large number of stash houses in the HIDTA region, the investigation and dismantlement of such locations are a major focus of law enforcement in the area. Successful law enforcement operations involving stash houses often result in large seizures of drugs, which can be a much greater loss for DTOs than seizures of smaller quantities. The West Texas HIDTA Stash House Initiative, which targets stash houses in the El Paso area, has been very successful since its inception in 1999. In 2006 the Stash House Initiative resulted in the seizure of 37,963 pounds of marijuana, 215 pounds of cocaine, and $69,892 in U.S. currency.¹⁰

Mexican DTOs have expanded their distribution networks to strengthen their hold over drug markets in the eastern United States. Historically, Chicago was the principal destination for illicit drug shipments originating in the West Texas HIDTA region. However, while Chicago still remains a major destination for drug shipments from the HIDTA region, increasing amounts of illicit drugs are being transported to the eastern United States. Atlanta, which has recently emerged as a national distribution center for cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine, is the primary destination in the eastern United States for illicit drugs transported by Mexican DTOs through the West Texas HIDTA region.¹¹ Mexican DTOs have taken control of drug distribution in Atlanta, thereby strengthening their drug distribution networks throughout the east. Mexican DTOs operating in West Texas also are increasingly transporting drug shipments to other eastern states, including North Carolina and South Carolina.

Retail drug distribution in the area is greatly overshadowed by wholesale drug transshipment; however, retail distribution does occur and is often associated with violent and property crimes. Most retail distribution in the HIDTA region occurs in El Paso, the largest population center. The level of drug consumption in El Paso, however, is lower as a result of low per capita earnings and the lack of an inner city, where retail distribution in open-air markets typically occurs. Powder cocaine, marijuana, and heroin are the primary drugs distributed at the retail level in El Paso; methamphetamine is available in limited quantities. Local independent distributors, street gangs, and prison gangs are involved to varying extents in retail drug distribution throughout the HIDTA region. According to the West Texas HIDTA, 506 street gangs and 20 prison gangs are involved to varying extents in retail drug distribution. Barrio Azteca controls cocaine, heroin, and marijuana distribution in El Paso; however, the gang's activities have been limited as a result of a "safe zone" injunction that prohibits its members from being on the street after dark.¹² Barrio Azteca has connections to Mexican DTOs operating in the El Paso/Juárez plaza, providing them with a direct source of supply for heroin and other illicit drugs.

End Notes

10. The drug seizures resulting from the West Texas Stash House Initiative are also included in the drug seizure totals for 2006 as depicted in Table 1 in the Drug Overview section.
11. Interstates 10 and 20 link Atlanta directly to the two primary transshipment areas in the West Texas HIDTA, making the Atlanta market area easily accessible to DTOs operating from the HIDTA.
12. The "safe zone" injunction mandates that certain members of Barrio Azteca abide by restrictions while in the designated "safe zone" area. Gang members listed in the injunction must follow a 10:00 p.m. curfew, are prohibited from using cell phones and pagers while in public, and are not allowed inside area restaurants and bars that are frequented by gang members and used to facilitate the distribution of narcotics, among other restrictions.

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