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Strategic Drug Threat Developments
- Heroin availability and distribution of the drug by street gangs have
increased in the Lake County HIDTA region. Heroin abusers, particularly
young Caucasians from affluent suburban areas in the region and neighboring
Porter County, often travel to the region to purchase heroin. Street gangs
are operating open-air heroin markets near off-ramps of major exits on
Interstate 80/94 in Gary to accommodate out-of-town heroin abusers who
purchase the drug.
- The availability of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known
as ecstasy) is increasing in the region. Law enforcement officials in the
region report increased retail-level distribution of MDMA by street gangs.
- Methadone diversion is increasing in the Lake County HIDTA region and is
most likely the result of increased prescribing of the drug by physicians to
manage pain and a number of methadone clinics located in the county.
- Law enforcement officials in the Lake County HIDTA region report
increases in seizures of assault-style firearms from drug-involved subjects.
The availability of these weapons increases the threat of violence posed to
law enforcement and the public in the Lake County HIDTA region.
- Violent confrontations among street gangs in the Lake County HIDTA
continue; however, members of different--and sometimes rival--gangs are
working together in drug distribution operations. These gang members, or
"renegades," set aside gang affiliation for the expectation of high profits
from cooperative drug operations.
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