Large-scale drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) maintain operations in the Milwaukee HIDTA region; however, illicit drugs are generally transported and distributed by smaller criminal groups and street gangs and by independent dealers. Criminal groups and street gangs are the primary distributors of cocaine and commercial-grade marijuana. Heroin, high-potency marijuana, khat, and other illicit drugs are more likely to be distributed by independent dealers or small, clandestine criminal groups.

Some Hispanic criminal groups on the south side of Milwaukee receive large shipments of commercial-grade marijuana and powder cocaine from members of Mexican DTOs who operate in Arizona, Texas, and Mexico. African American criminal groups on the north side of Milwaukee maintain fewer direct connections to Mexican DTOs and are more likely to receive drug shipments from other African American or Hispanic criminal groups in Chicago than from sources along the Southwest Border. Law enforcement agencies have made several seizures of heroin and cocaine destined for Milwaukee from Colombian and Dominican DTOs operating on the East Coast, typically in New York City. Colombian and Dominican DTOs supply drugs primarily to Hispanic gangs and independent dealers on the south side of Milwaukee.

Numerous street gangs are involved in drug trafficking in the Milwaukee HIDTA region. Most street gangs are composed of individuals of the same race. They are often involved in significant rivalry and incite violence against other street gangs and individuals involved in the drug trade. However, there is little rivalry and violence between street gangs from the north and south sides of Milwaukee, because the gangs are separated by clearly demarcated geographical boundaries and generally distribute drugs to a proprietary customer base.

Latin Kings, Mexican Posse, and Spanish Cobras are the most prevalent street gangs on the south side of Milwaukee; they are composed primarily of Hispanics. These gangs distribute powder cocaine and marijuana and, occasionally, crack cocaine. Hispanic street gangs are cohesive, tightly knit groups; this characteristic has posed considerable difficulty to law enforcement officers in investigating the gangs, particularly since members are reluctant to provide information against each other when arrested. This reluctance extends even to rival gang members. Moreover, many gang members are first- and second-generation immigrants who have family members living in Mexico; fear of reprisal against foreign family members often compels gang members to be uncooperative with law enforcement, even when they themselves have been victimized. Despite the reluctance of gang members to cooperate with law enforcement officers, investigations during the past 3 years have removed many Hispanic gang members who were distributing illicit drugs on the south side of Milwaukee; however, other members are poised to take over drug markets vacated by the indicted members. The absence of these indicted members has also enabled a limited number of African American street gang members and independent dealers to move into this traditionally Hispanic-dominated area of the city.

Involvement of Latin Kings in Drug-Related Crime During the past 3 years, the Milwaukee HIDTA conducted a major investigation of Latin Kings, resulting in the indictment of 60 individuals, 59 of whom have been incarcerated. (Law enforcement officials believe that one indicted individual escaped to Mexico.) This investigation determined that Latin Kings members had been distributing large amounts of powder cocaine and marijuana and limited quantities of MDMA in the region. The investigation also resolved 115 shootings, 12 homicides, 3 kidnappings, numerous home invasions, and 70 other predicate acts. Source: Milwaukee High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.

Street gangs on the north side of Milwaukee consist primarily of African American gangs, including Brothers of Struggle, Gangster Disciples, and Vice Lords. These gangs distribute principally crack cocaine; they often abuse and distribute marijuana. Gang members often employ heavily armed lookouts and bodyguards, who represent a greater threat to law enforcement officers who encounter them. Violence is often associated with the distribution of crack cocaine. Further, retail-level distributors sometimes commit home invasion robberies of higher-level distributors to steal drug caches and proceeds.

An increasing number of drug traffickers in the Milwaukee HIDTA region are using low-cost disposable communication equipment to thwart law enforcement communication intercepts. Disposable cell phones have long been used; however, two-way, direct-connect devices (typically cell phone/walkie-talkie combinations) are becoming popular among drug traffickers in the region. These devices can generally be purchased by traffickers at a low cost and with relative anonymity, factors that enable traffickers to readily dispose of the equipment if law enforcement communication intercepts are suspected. Moreover, traffickers are beginning to dispose of communication equipment after each higher-level drug transaction, even if law enforcement intercepts are not suspected, in an attempt to avoid law enforcement detection.