Distribution

Mexican DTOs are the primary wholesale distributors of cocaine, marijuana, and Mexican brown powder and Mexican black tar heroin in the Ohio HIDTA region; they also engage in retail distribution of Mexican heroin in Columbus. These traffickers also supply Mexican methamphetamine to some areas of the HIDTA region, such as Akron and Columbus. Moreover, Mexican DTOs supply large quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and Mexican heroin to African American and Caucasian criminal groups, local independent dealers, and street gangs for retail distribution. Dominican and Jamaican DTOs distribute heroin and cocaine in the northeastern counties of the HIDTA region, although their market share is decreasing as Mexican DTOs make incursions into northeastern Ohio drug markets. African American criminal groups and street gangs distribute crack cocaine at the retail level throughout the region, particularly in urban areas.

Several cities in the HIDTA region serve as distribution centers for Ohio drug markets outside the HIDTA region and in neighboring states. Columbus serves as a distribution center for Mexican brown powder and Mexican black tar heroin for markets east and south of the city as well as in West Virginia. Distributors outside Columbus typically travel to the city, purchase heroin from local distributors, and transport it back to their local areas for distribution. Dayton serves as a distribution center for Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo as well as for Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky. Additionally, cities in the northeastern part of the HIDTA region, such as Cleveland, Akron, and Youngstown, often serve as distribution centers for each other, particularly when supplies dwindle in one of the cities.

Pharmaceutical diversion is increasing in the Ohio HIDTA region and most often involves Caucasian independent dealers and abusers. Pharmaceuticals are typically diverted in the region through prescription fraud, doctor-shopping, and pharmacy robberies. Additionally, abusers acquire pharmaceuticals over the Internet and have the drugs shipped to them through package delivery services.

Khat distribution in the Ohio HIDTA region is limited. Khat sales take place primarily among members of the relatively large Somali community in Columbus, some of whom abuse the drug.

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