Drug-Related Crime

Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse are the leading contributors to property and violent crimes in the CVC HIDTA region. In fact, 20 of the 24 state and local law enforcement agencies that responded to the National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) 2006 report that methamphetamine is the drug that most contributes to property crime and violent crime in their areas. Most methamphetamine-related property crime, such as burglary, identity theft, and property theft, is committed by methamphetamine abusers; however, most methamphetamine-related violent crime, including assault and homicide, is perpetrated by members of DTOs, criminal groups, and street gangs in the course of their drug trafficking operations.

Marijuana-related violence is also a significant concern in the CVC HIDTA region, particularly violence associated with protection of cannabis plots. During eradication operations, law enforcement officers have encountered grow sites protected by armed guards and by booby traps such as pipe bombs, barbed wire fences, and bear traps. Law enforcement officials in CVC HIDTA counties also have reported that individuals who grow marijuana--in many cases legally, for medicinal use under Proposition 215--have become the targets of violent home invasions perpetrated by criminals seeking to steal marijuana, cannabis plants, and grow equipment.

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