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Strategic Drug Threat Developments
- Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) dominate the
wholesale distribution of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana in the Chicago HIDTA
region; they are increasingly expanding their distribution operations to
suburban communities in the region.
- Street gang drug distribution operations are
concentrated in urban areas of Chicago; however, suburban law enforcement
agencies, many of which lack sufficient resources, report an increasing presence
of Chicago gang members who distribute drugs in their jurisdictions. Officials
attribute the movement of gang members from Chicago to suburban areas to several
factors--the breakdown of traditional hierarchical gang structures, the razing of
some large Chicago public housing projects, an abundance of wholesale illicit
drug suppliers, and the expectation of high profits from new suburban drug
operations.
- Cocaine trafficking and abuse in the Chicago HIDTA region are
widespread; however, fluctuations in cocaine availability were reported by law
enforcement officials in 2007. Declining cocaine purity levels in the second
half of 2007 may indicate increased cutting of cocaine by traffickers to stretch
supplies or increase profits.
- Heroin availability and abuse levels in the
Chicago HIDTA region are high, as indicated by increased heroin purity levels,
lower wholesale heroin prices, and the large number of heroin treatment provider
services.1 More individuals seek treatment for heroin abuse in publicly funded
facilities in Chicago than for the abuse of any other substance, including
alcohol.
- The availability and abuse of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine,
also known as ecstasy) are rising in the Chicago HIDTA region, particularly in
African American and Hispanic communities. Rising availability and abuse are
most likely the result of increased retail-level distribution by African
American and Hispanic street gangs, which are typically supplied by Canada-based
Asian traffickers.
End Note
1.
provider services include detoxification, outpatient care, intervention care,
resident rehabilitation, and other services.
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