Drug Trafficking Organizations

Mexican DTOs are significant wholesale distributors of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana in the North Florida HIDTA region. These DTOs have increased their trafficking operations in the region and have expanded their activities from rural to suburban areas across northern and central Florida; they also are expanding operations from Atlanta into the area. Mexican DTOs in the HIDTA region often have strong organizational ties to higher-level Mexican DTOs operating in Atlanta and the Southwest.

African American and Jamaican DTOs are extensively involved in the distribution of marijuana in the HIDTA region. Traditionally, African American organizations have obtained marijuana from lower-level Mexican organizations located in Florida, and Jamaican organizations have typically obtained marijuana from midlevel Mexican organizations in Florida or from other suppliers in the Caribbean. However, both African American and Jamaican DTOs have established relationships with high-level Mexican DTOs in the North Florida HIDTA region and in Southwest Border states to obtain wholesale quantities of marijuana for distribution in the area.

Caucasian independent dealers are the primary distributors of illegally diverted prescription pharmaceuticals in the North Florida HIDTA region. They also distribute retail and, occasionally, wholesale quantities of virtually every other illicit drug sold in the region.

Asian DTOs pose a lower threat in the North Florida HIDTA region than other organizations and criminal groups, according to law enforcement officials. However, Asian DTOs are responsible for distributing a significant amount of MDMA and limited quantities of high-potency marijuana at the wholesale level in the region, particularly the Jacksonville metropolitan area. Law enforcement officials report that these organizations are typically affiliated with larger Asian networks that extend throughout other parts of the United States as well as Canada and Southeast Asia. These organizations are generally based upon familial or other direct social relationships and are difficult for law enforcement to infiltrate.

Other Hispanic criminal groups and Cuban DTOs are increasingly cultivating and distributing high-potency marijuana from indoor grow operations established in the region.

Numerous street gangs are involved in drug trafficking in the North Florida HIDTA region. Most street gangs are composed of individuals with similar ethnic backgrounds, and most are established and based upon individual street or neighborhood affiliations, especially in northwest Jacksonville. Significant rivalry among street gangs, including that associated with drug trafficking, often incites violence among gangs as well as violence between gangs and other drug traffickers. Such rivalry and violence have increased in the past year, most likely as a result of shrinking drug distribution territories caused by the encroachment of DTOs, particularly Mexican DTOs, into areas previously controlled by street gangs.

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