Drug Trafficking Organizations - Michigan HIDTA Drug Market Analysis

African American drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and criminal groups are the predominant traffickers in the HIDTA region. They distribute wholesale quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and heroin and are also emerging as distributors of MDMA that they obtain from Canada. Some of these African American traffickers have made direct connections with Mexican sources and are transporting drugs directly from Southwest Border states into Michigan. African American distributors in the HIDTA region also engage in drug-related violence, including assault and homicide, to maintain control of local drug markets.

Mexican, Caucasian, Asian (usually Vietnamese), and Middle Eastern (typically Chaldean, Lebanese, and Yemeni) DTOs and criminal groups also distribute wholesale quantities of drugs in the HIDTA region to varying degrees. Law enforcement officials have identified 118 ethnically based DTOs that operate within the Michigan HIDTA region; approximately 28 of these DTOs operate internationally, 42 operate in multiple states, and 51 operate locally. Mexican DTOs distribute wholesale quantities of marijuana and powder cocaine. Caucasian and Middle Eastern DTOs distribute wholesale quantities of marijuana and powder cocaine. Asian DTOs and East Indian truck drivers, whom the DTOs employ as transporters, often smuggle Canadian marijuana and MDMA into the HIDTA region for local and national distribution. Various groups also transport MDMA into and through HIDTA counties, including Caucasian college students who travel to Canada to purchase MDMA for personal use and limited distribution. Middle Eastern DTOs distribute Canadian and Mexican marijuana and MDMA, especially in the Detroit area, where they operate many gas stations and convenience stores from which they are suspected of selling pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine producers, circumventing recent precursor control legislation. In addition to drug trafficking, some criminal organizations smuggle weapons and illegal aliens when the opportunity arises.

Iraqi Refugees Likely to Relocate to Metropolitan Detroit

Metropolitan Detroit, home to the largest population of Chaldeans outside Iraq, may be gaining an even larger Chaldean population. The U.S. government plans to allow 7,000 additional Iraqi refugees into the country within the next year, a significant increase over the 466 Iraqis who have been permitted entry into the United States since the beginning of the War in Iraq in 2003. According to estimates by the Chaldean Federation of America, at least 60 percent of the 7,000 Iraqi refugees will move to Michigan. Chaldean criminals in Detroit are distributing Canadian MDMA, Mexican marijuana, and powder cocaine and crack cocaine that they purchase from other criminal groups. Some Chaldean criminals own gas stations and convenience stores throughout the Detroit area, from where they operate wire remittance service businesses, which they reportedly use to launder illicit proceeds.

Source: U.S. Department of State; Detroit Free Press.

Numerous street gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) operate in the HIDTA region, including approximately 10 large gangs in Detroit. Many of these street gangs and OMGs are involved in illegal drug distribution and commit violent crimes such as assault, robbery, and homicide to protect illicit drug operations. Street gangs in the HIDTA region typically are turf-oriented neighborhood gangs; however, some are nationally affiliated, such as Black Mafia Family. Street gangs often distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana at the retail level. Some Michigan street gangs are recruiting new members as young as 13 to 15 years of age to sell crack and marijuana to their peers. OMGs within the HIDTA region also distribute drugs such as methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, MDMA, OxyContin, and Vicodin. Many of these OMGs are affiliated with national and international OMGs and typically engage in other criminal activities, including promoting prostitution and committing theft, fraud, homicide, arson, and weapons trafficking.

Black Mafia Family Cocaine Distribution in Detroit

In March 2007 the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan announced the indictments of 17 individuals resulting from a 7-year investigation of Black Mafia Family, a suspected multistate cocaine trafficking organization. Since late 2006 a total of 58 individuals have been indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and money laundering. Black Mafia Family allegedly distributed multikilogram quantities of cocaine in the Detroit metropolitan area beginning in the early 1990s. By the mid-1990s, the organization's distribution activities had extended into other states, including Kentucky, Georgia, Missouri, California, and Texas. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement authorities seized approximately 1,100 pounds of cocaine and $19 million in assets, including bank accounts, cash, real property, jewelry, and vehicles. In addition, Black Mafia Family members allegedly used drug proceeds to purchase winning Michigan lottery tickets from an individual who had obtained them from the true winners for cash. These winning tickets, valued at over $1 million, were redeemed, and the proceeds were used to purchase homes and vehicles and to make mortgage payments.

Source: U.S. Attorney Eastern District of Michigan.