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National Drug Intelligence
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Drug trafficking organizations are complex organizations with highly defined command-and-control structures that produce, transport, and/or distribute large quantities of one or more illicit drugs. Criminal groups operating in the United States are numerous and range from small to moderately sized, loosely knit groups that distribute one or more drugs at the retail level and midlevel. Gangs are defined by the National Alliance of Gang Investigators' Associations as groups or associations of three or more persons with a common identifying sign, symbol, or name, the members of which individually or collectively engage in criminal activity that creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. |
Colombian DTOs are the primary wholesale suppliers of SA heroin and cocaine in the NE HIDTA region. Most Colombian DTOs that operate in New England are based in New York City and typically transport drugs to the region to supply midlevel and retail-level distributors. However, they sometimes contract with Dominican, Guatemalan, Honduran, Jamaican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and other Central America- and Caribbean-based groups to smuggle heroin and cocaine directly into the region for distribution.
Dominican DTOs operating in New England work closely with Colombian DTOs and serve as major transporters of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. They are also engaged in wholesale and retail drug distribution and money laundering within the region. Some New England-based Dominican traffickers travel to New York City to obtain drug supplies from Colombian DTOs; conversely, some Colombian distributors from New York travel to New England to supply illicit drugs to Dominican traffickers. Additionally, law enforcement reporting reveals that some Dominican traffickers may be involved in drug smuggling networks operating between Canada and New England. Dominican DTOs operate from the primary drug distribution hubs in the region--Lowell/Lawrence and Hartford/Springfield.
Asian DTOs operating between the United States and Canada pose a major threat to the NE HIDTA region. They are the primary producers, transporters, and distributors of Canadian high-potency hydroponic marijuana, MDMA, and tablets/capsules that may contain multiple synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine, MDMA, and MDA. Asian DTOs smuggle drug shipments from Canada for further distribution in New England and elsewhere in the United States. Asian DTOs operated a number of sophisticated hydroponic cannabis grow operations that were seized in Connecticut and New Hampshire in prior years; however, only one significant Asian-operated indoor cannabis cultivation site was seized in the region in 2007.
Mexican DTOs are significant transporters and wholesale distributors of cocaine, commercial-grade marijuana, SA heroin, and limited quantities of ice methamphetamine in the NE HIDTA region. Mexican DTOs have traditionally transported illicit drug shipments to New England on consignment for Colombian and Dominican DTOs. However, some Mexican traffickers that supply New England are now operating on their own behalf, bypassing Colombian and Dominican DTOs and using existing networks to transport drug shipments directly to the region from mid-Atlantic, southern, and western states for distribution.
Street gang members distribute cocaine, marijuana, and heroin at the wholesale and retail levels in the NE HIDTA region. Most street gangs that operate in New England can be classified as one of four main racial/ethnic groups--African American, Asian, Caucasian, or Hispanic. According to law enforcement officials, large, nationally recognized gangs such as 18th Street, Asian Boys, Bloods, Crips, La Familia, Latin Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13), Ņeta, Sureņos (SUR 13), Tiny Rascal Gang, and Vatos Locos as well as numerous local neighborhood street gangs operate to various degrees in the HIDTA region. New York City and southern New England-based African American and Hispanic street gangs travel to areas throughout the NE HIDTA region to distribute crack cocaine and obtain weapons that typically are returned to the gang's urban base of operation. The level of violence occurring among street gangs in New England, particularly incidents related to territorial disputes, is increasing. Moreover, law enforcement officials report that street gangs are recruiting new members from middle schools and high schools and are enticing incarcerated gang members back to gang life upon their release from prison.
Members of international outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs), such as Hells Angels and Outlaws, and their associates distribute cocaine, marijuana, MDMA, powder methamphetamine, and prescription narcotics in New England. Some OMG members also engage in firearms offenses and violent crimes, including assault and armed carjacking, according to law enforcement reporting.
Various other criminal groups and independent dealers are also involved in drug trafficking within the NE HIDTA region. Hispanic criminal groups that operate from well-established distribution hubs in the HIDTA region distribute cocaine, crack, and marijuana throughout the area. Local independent dealers operating in New England use common diversion methods, such as doctor-shopping, fraudulent prescriptions, and theft, to obtain prescription drugs for personal use and retail distribution, and Native American traffickers smuggle high-potency Canadian marijuana to the HIDTA region for further distribution in New England and other regions of the United States.
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