Outlook

Mexican DTOs will strengthen their wholesale cocaine, heroin, and marijuana distribution activities in the HIDTA region and will increasingly use Lake County as a transit and staging area for the distribution of illicit drugs to eastern markets.

Violent disputes over control of drug territories in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago may continue to decrease as gangs realize that violent confrontations bring unwanted law enforcement attention that often disrupts their drug distribution activities and lowers their revenue. However, gang- and drug-related activity will spread from these traditionally high-crime metropolitan areas into surrounding communities in Lake County and neighboring Porter County as gangs seek new markets with limited law enforcement resources.

Without the introduction of more stringent gun control laws in Indiana, the Lake County HIDTA region will continue to serve as a source of firearms supplied by local gang members to their associates in Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, and other cities.

Heroin abuse among young Caucasians from affluent residential areas of Lake County and neighboring Porter County will be a growing problem. Fentanyl-laced heroin may emerge as a major threat to Lake County.

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