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National Drug Intelligence
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African American, Mexican, and Asian traffickers who transport drugs to the Michigan HIDTA region are also the primary wholesale distributors of these drugs. African American and Mexican traffickers are the principal suppliers of cocaine, Mexican marijuana, and SA and Mexican heroin in most areas of the HIDTA region. Asian and, increasingly, Albanian traffickers are wholesale suppliers of high-potency marijuana and MDMA produced in Canada. Caucasian and Middle Eastern traffickers are wholesale distributors of cocaine and marijuana in the region, but to a lesser extent. Nigerian traffickers supply wholesale quantities of heroin, particularly in the Detroit area.
African American traffickers are the primary retail-level distributors of crack cocaine and heroin throughout the area; they also distribute marijuana and, increasingly, MDMA in urban areas of the HIDTA region. MDMA distribution by African American traffickers is quite likely contributing to increased MDMA availability and abuse among African Americans in Detroit. Some African American crack cocaine dealers in Detroit are selling smaller rocks of crack known as "nicks" or "nickels," which sell for $5. This marketing technique may be a response to weak economic conditions in the area. African American traffickers typically sell heroin to abusers in urban areas but are increasingly distributing the drug to suburban and rural abusers, particularly young Caucasians. Drug sales at the retail level, especially sales of crack cocaine, occur in private homes, public bars, nightclubs, hotel rooms, and drug houses, as well as on street corners. Some African American dealers operate drug houses where multiple illicit drugs are available, including crack cocaine, marijuana, and MDMA.
Mexican, Hispanic, Caucasian, Middle Eastern, and West African criminal groups and independent dealers distribute illicit drugs at the retail level throughout the HIDTA region. Mexican criminal groups distribute cocaine and marijuana throughout the entire region and distribute MDMA in Flint and the Kalamazoo-Grand Rapids area. They also distribute SA heroin and, to a lesser extent, Mexican black tar and brown powder heroin, particularly in western counties of the HIDTA. Some Hispanic traffickers are distributing MDMA in southwestern Detroit, where there is a large Hispanic population. Caucasian criminal groups and independent dealers distribute marijuana, MDMA, and methamphetamine throughout the region. Middle Eastern traffickers distribute cocaine, marijuana, and MDMA in Detroit. West African criminal groups, particularly Nigerian traffickers, are expanding their involvement in heroin trafficking; they are now distributing SWA and SEA heroin at the retail-level in addition to coordinating heroin transportation into the area. Some street gangs operating in the region distribute cocaine, heroin, and marijuana at retail drug markets; OMGs distribute cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. Various independent dealers and some unscrupulous doctors distribute diverted pharmaceutical drugs in the HIDTA region.
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In March 2008 the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan announced that the leader of a gang known as Detroit Thug Lords had pled guilty to felony drug charges. During the prosecution of this drug trafficking gang, 14 additional members were either convicted or pled guilty to felony drug charges. Gang members, including minors, were paid as much as $5,000 per month to distribute powder cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana. Drug sales were prearranged using cellular telephone numbers; the drugs were typically delivered in rental vehicles. The gang maintained drug houses on Woodmont, Lawndale, Winthrop, Rockdale, Longacre, and Rosemont Streets; firearms were kept at the various locations for protection.
Source: U.S. Attorney Eastern District of Michigan. |
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