Drug Threat Overview

National Drug Intelligence Center
Nevada High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Market Analysis
June 2007

The trafficking and abuse of Mexican ice methamphetamine¹ pose the most significant drug problem in the Nevada HIDTA region. Over the last several years, law enforcement operations and legislative efforts to limit the availability of methamphetamine precursor chemicals such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine caused a significant decrease in domestic powder methamphetamine production in the region. Mexican DTOs and Hispanic street gangs quickly exploited the decrease in local production by supplying increased amounts of Mexican ice methamphetamine to the area. Pound and ounce prices of ice methamphetamine rose in late 2005, while retail-level purity decreased, quite likely the result of a large laboratory seizure in Mexico as well as restrictions placed on the sale of precursor chemicals by the government of Mexico. This situation continued through the first 6 months of 2006.

Powder cocaine, Mexican marijuana,² and Mexican black tar and brown powder heroin also are abused in the HIDTA region. Significant amounts of the cocaine, marijuana, and heroin that flow into the region are distributed by Mexican DTOs and criminal groups for local abuse; however, most of these drugs are transshipped by these traffickers to drug markets in other areas of the United States. Much of the powder cocaine supplied to the area for local abuse is converted into crack cocaine by African American street gangs for retail distribution.

Other drugs of abuse are distributed by various traffickers in the Nevada HIDTA region. Asian DTO members, mostly Chinese, distribute MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy) in Clark County, while Vietnamese criminal groups in Washoe County supply high-potency marijuana, commonly known as BC Bud, from British Columbia, Canada. Independent dealers of varying ethnicities are the principal distributors of diverted pharmaceuticals in the region, primarily Lortab and Vicodin (hydrocodone), OxyContin and Percocet (oxycodone), and Soma (carisoprodol). Some independent dealers are expanding their diverted pharmaceutical distribution operations in the region.

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Drug Trafficking Organizations

Mexican DTOs are the primary wholesale distributors of cocaine, marijuana, ice methamphetamine, and Mexican black tar and brown powder heroin in the Nevada HIDTA region. These traffickers generally maintain distribution cells in the area; those operating in Clark County typically are supplied by affiliated Mexican cells in southern California, southern Arizona, and western Mexico, while those operating in Washoe County typically are supplied by affiliated Mexican cells in northern and central California.

Asian DTOs have emerged as suppliers and distributors of MDMA and high-potency marijuana in the region. Recent law enforcement reporting indicates that Chinese traffickers who have connections to Northern California are supplying the Las Vegas area with large quantities of MDMA. Vietnamese groups in Washoe County are responsible for supplying BC Bud from British Columbia.

Street gangs are heavily involved in retail drug distribution in the HIDTA region. Hispanic street gangs are primarily involved in retail-level methamphetamine distribution and also distribute powder cocaine and marijuana. African American street gang members are the primary retail distributors of crack cocaine. A number of street gang members have relocated from southern California to Clark County, either as fugitives from justice or to avoid California's "three strikes" law; this situation has contributed to an increase in drug-related crime and violence in the county. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, fugitives from other areas, such as California, have relocated to the region--not to hide out, but to establish themselves in the Las Vegas drug trade through familial or gang-related contacts.

"Operation SLAMDUNK" Nets Over 140 Fugitives

In February 2007 the U. S. Marshals Service, in partnership with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, conducted a week-long effort to locate and apprehend fugitives residing in Las Vegas in an effort to curb crime and increase public safety as the community prepared to host the NBA All-Star game and related events. This effort focused on fugitives who had outstanding felony warrants, particularly involving drug-related violent crimes. During this time more than 140 fugitives were arrested. Weapons, drugs, and cash were seized. While executing an arrest warrant, officers discovered a methamphetamine laboratory in an apartment in which a fugitive was living. The fugitive was in possession of a rifle and was in the company of an ex-felon who was in possession of a handgun. During the arrest officers seized various items that had been stolen from local retailers and were in the process of being sold over the Internet.

Source: Drug Enforcement Administration.

End Notes

1. For the purposes of this report, ice methamphetamine refers to methamphetamine that has been crystallized from powder methamphetamine.
2. Mexican marijuana is typically cultivated along the western Sierra Madre Mountains in Chihuahua, Sinaloa, and Durango as well as farther south in Michoacán and Guerrero. This type of marijuana contains parts of the marijuana plant, such as stems and seeds, that are not of high quality (they have a lower THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) content). Mexican marijuana is generally the least expensive type of marijuana because of its prevalence and lower THC content, which typically ranges from only 4 to 6 percent.

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