Drug Trafficking Organizations

Colombian DTOs are the primary transporters and wholesale distributors of SA heroin and cocaine in the New England HIDTA region. Most Colombian DTOs operating in the area are based in New York City; they typically transport heroin and cocaine into the region and supply the drugs to midlevel and retail-level distributors. Periodically, Colombian organizations contract with Dominican, Jamaican, Puerto Rican, Guatemalan, Honduran, Mexican, and other Central America- and Caribbean-based criminal groups to smuggle heroin and cocaine directly into the New England HIDTA region for distribution by local criminal groups.

Dominican DTOs located in the region are also significant transporters of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana. These traffickers typically travel to New York City to obtain drug supplies for local distribution; however, some Dominican DTOs receive heroin, cocaine, and marijuana from Colombian DTOs that transport the drugs to the New England HIDTA region from New York. Dominican DTOs operate primarily from the distribution hubs of Lawrence, Lowell, and Springfield and are routinely involved in all aspects of the drug trade, from transportation to wholesale and retail distribution to money laundering.

Asian DTOs have emerged as the primary producers, transporters, and distributors of high-potency hydroponic marijuana and MDMA to the New England region. These DTOs smuggle the drugs across the U.S.-Canada border for further distribution within the region. Recently, Asian DTOs have begun to establish hydroponic cannabis grow operations within the New England region--most likely to avoid losing large marijuana loads at the U.S.-Canada border as a result of heightened law enforcement scrutiny and to increase profit margins by avoiding the transportation costs to the smuggler.

Mexican DTOs have emerged as significant transporters and wholesale distributors of cocaine, commercial-grade marijuana, SA heroin, and limited quantities of ice methamphetamine in the New England HIDTA region. Mexican DTOs traditionally transported illicit drugs to New England on consignment for Colombian and Dominican DTOs. However, these Mexican traffickers are now using existing networks to bypass Colombian and Dominican DTOs and are increasingly transporting (typically from the Southwest Border area) and distributing the drugs themselves. Recently, some Mexican DTOs have begun traveling to Atlanta to obtain drugs for further distribution within the area.

Street gang members are involved in cocaine, marijuana, and heroin distribution at the wholesale and retail levels in the New England HIDTA region. Gang members affiliated with nationally recognized gangs such as Latin Kings, Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13), 18th Street Gang, Latin Gangster Disciples, Tiny Rascal Gang, and Asian Boys have chapters or charters located in Massachusetts. In addition to these larger, nationally known street gangs, dozens of local neighborhood street gangs are present in the HIDTA region. The local neighborhood gangs in Boston are typically the most violent and often engage in turf-related and retribution-related assaults.

Various other criminal groups and gangs are involved in transportation and retail drug distribution within the New England HIDTA region. Hispanic criminal groups with well-established distribution hubs within the area distribute cocaine and marijuana. African American and Hispanic street gangs from New York travel to areas in the New England HIDTA region and distribute crack cocaine. Local independent dealers obtain prescription drugs for personal abuse and retail distribution in the region. Finally, Native American traffickers transport some marijuana from the U.S.-Canada border to the New England HIDTA region for further distribution.

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