Strategic Drug Threat Developments

• The North Florida HIDTA region's significance as a transit area to drug markets throughout Florida is increasing because of its proximity to Atlanta, Georgia; Atlanta has recently emerged as the primary source for cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana distributed in central and northern Florida and as a secondary source for these drugs in South Florida.
   
• Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) are increasing their influence over the wholesale distribution of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine--particularly ice methamphetamine--a development that is threatening to undermine recent gains that North Florida HIDTA-sponsored task forces have made against overall illicit drug activity in the region.
  
  
• Methamphetamine distribution and abuse are increasing in the North Florida HIDTA region, and the drug has emerged as the greatest drug threat in many rural areas of the region.
  
  
• Local methamphetamine production poses an ongoing problem in the region; however, some laboratory operators are reportedly scaling back their operations in favor of distributing Mexican methamphetamine because of the high profit margins associated with distributing this form of the drug.
  
  
• The distribution and abuse of diverted pharmaceutical drugs in the region pose a significant threat, rivaling the threat posed by most other illicit drugs. Pharmaceuticals, predominantly prescription narcotics such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and methadone, and benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), are widely abused throughout the North Florida HIDTA region.
  
  
• Cuban DTOs are becoming increasingly involved in indoor cannabis cultivation within the region, and there is an increasing demand for high-potency marijuana in the region.

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