Drug Threat Overview

The distribution and abuse of methamphetamine, primarily Mexican ice methamphetamine, pose the greatest drug threat to the Oregon HIDTA region. In August 2005 Oregon passed legislation requiring a doctor's prescription for the purchase of cold and allergy medications that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine; Oregon was the first state in the nation to enact such a requirement. This legislation significantly reduced local methamphetamine production but has not reduced the amount of methamphetamine available in the state. Mexican DTOs are transporting and distributing increasing amounts of Mexican ice methamphetamine to the HIDTA region, capitalizing on decreased local production.

Various other illicit substances also are abused throughout the Oregon HIDTA region. Marijuana is widely produced and abused throughout the HIDTA region. Mexican black tar heroin poses a significant problem to the region, particularly in the Portland metropolitan area. Powder cocaine, crack cocaine, MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy), and various diverted pharmaceuticals are also distributed and abused to varying degrees in the HIDTA region.

Drug Trafficking Organizations

Mexican DTOs are the primary transporters and wholesale distributors of ice methamphetamine, Mexican black tar heroin, cocaine, and Mexican marijuana in the Oregon HIDTA region. Most Mexican DTOs operating in the area are based locally and direct "mules" to drive to California and other areas in the Southwest Border area to obtain significant quantities of these drugs for distribution in the area. Mexican DTOs also cultivate cannabis within the region, primarily at outdoor locations, and have increased their cultivation operations on public lands.

Asian DTOs have emerged as the primary traffickers of high-potency marijuana and MDMA to the Oregon HIDTA region. They typically transport these drugs into the region from Canada. Asian DTOs have recently established high-potency cannabis grow operations within the Oregon HIDTA region--most likely to avoid the risk of losing large marijuana loads at the U.S.-Canada border as a result of heightened law enforcement scrutiny and to increase profit margins by minimizing transportation costs.

Various other criminal groups and gangs are involved in midlevel and retail-level drug distribution within the Oregon HIDTA region. Caucasian criminal groups serve as midlevel and retail-level marijuana distributors. Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) distribute methamphetamine and some BC Bud throughout the Oregon HIDTA region. African American and Hispanic criminal groups and gangs distribute methamphetamine, heroin, powder cocaine, and crack, particularly within the Portland metropolitan area.

To Top      To Contents     To Previous Page      To Next Page

To Publications Page     To Home Page