National Drug Intelligence Center   North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Drug Market Analysis 2008   June 2008

Drug Threat Overview

Cocaine distribution and abuse pose the greatest threat to the North Florida HIDTA region as evidenced by the high levels of violence associated with cocaine (particularly crack) distribution and the high number of cocaine-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities. According to data from the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) National Drug Threat Survey (NDTS) 2007 (the latest year for which such data are available), 11 of the 12 local law enforcement agency respondents in the North Florida HIDTA region reported that cocaine was the greatest drug threat in their jurisdictions. Moreover, large quantities of cocaine are available in the area; reporting from North Florida HIDTA Initiatives⁴ indicates that over 1,000 kilograms of powder cocaine and 6 kilograms of crack cocaine were seized in 2007. (See Table 1.)

Table 1. North Florida HIDTA Drug Seizures, in Kilograms, 2007*

Source: North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
*Seizures of hashish, various pharmaceutical drugs, and methamphetamine precursors are not included in this table.

The production and distribution of marijuana, particularly high-potency indoor-grown cannabis, pose a significant threat to the North Florida HIDTA region. Marijuana is widely available throughout the HIDTA region and is abused by members of all racial/ethnic and social groups. The demand for high-potency marijuana is increasing in the region, as is the number of indoor cannabis cultivation sites established to meet the rising demand. These indoor cultivation sites are established and operated primarily by Caucasian and Cuban DTOs.

The distribution and abuse of pharmaceutical drugs pose a serious threat to the region. Prescription narcotics are widely abused in the region, particularly among Caucasian adolescents and adult abusers; law enforcement and public health officials in the region report that the average age of pharmaceutical drug abusers is decreasing. The most widely available and commonly abused prescription narcotics are methadone, morphine, OxyContin (oxycodone), and Vicodin (hydrocodone). Central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as the benzodiazepines Valium (diazepam) and Xanax (alprazolam) also are available and abused. Steroids are sometimes transported, distributed, and abused in the region. Abusers of pharmaceutical drugs are enticed in part by the ease with which they can obtain the drugs over the Internet and from retail-level distributors. The North Florida HIDTA region also is a source area for pharmaceutical drugs available throughout the eastern United States; abusers travel to the region to purchase diverted pharmaceutical drugs from Caucasian distributors or use the Internet to order the drugs from Florida-based Internet pharmacies.⁵

Methamphetamine, other dangerous drugs (ODDs)--principally MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy)--and heroin pose comparatively low threats to the North Florida HIDTA region. Methamphetamine availability and abuse are at relatively low levels in the region, despite an increase in the number of methamphetamine laboratories seized from 2006 through 2007. The demand for high-purity ice methamphetamine, however, is rising. The availability and abuse of ODDs, principally MDMA, are limited in the North Florida HIDTA region. Heroin availability and abuse are stable at low levels.

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Drug Trafficking Organizations

Mexican DTOs and Hispanic criminal groups are the principal transporters and wholesale distributors of cocaine, heroin, Mexican marijuana, and ice methamphetamine in the North Florida HIDTA region. They are increasing their influence and control over drug distribution in the North Florida HIDTA region and in the entire state of Florida as a result of their dominance over land-based drug smuggling routes from Mexico to the United States and from the Southwest Border to Atlanta and locations throughout Florida. Consequently, these organizations are able to efficiently transport and distribute large quantities of illicit drugs into and through the North Florida HIDTA region. The control exercised by these tightly coordinated and compartmentalized organizations and groups is facilitated by the growing Hispanic population in northern Florida. Mexican traffickers easily assimilate into these Hispanic communities, where they can conceal their drug trafficking activities.⁶ Moreover, Mexican traffickers rely upon strong familial ties in Mexico and northern Florida to further facilitate their transportation and distribution of drugs in the region. Members of Mexican DTOs and Hispanic criminal groups are increasingly establishing residency in upscale suburban and rural communities, where they store and distribute illicit drugs and consolidate drug proceeds.

Colombian and Dominican DTOs are significant transporters and distributors of powder cocaine and limited quantities of South American (SA) heroin, pharmaceutical drugs, and MDMA; some of these DTOs transport cocaine directly from Miami into Jacksonville for further distribution in local retail drug markets. These traffickers typically transport cocaine using vehicles or package delivery services from southern Florida to and through northern Florida to various destinations in the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and New York/New Jersey HIDTA regions. These DTOs use similar methods to transport illicit drug proceeds and diverted pharmaceutical drugs and MDMA, usually obtained from sources in Canada, through northern Florida to southern Florida.

Cuban DTOs establish and operate numerous indoor high-potency cannabis grow sites in the North Florida HIDTA region and have expanded such operations throughout the southeastern United States. These organizations, frequently based in Miami, purchase real estate in northern Florida for the sole purpose of indoor cannabis cultivation. Cuban DTOs, which have rapidly expanded their operations throughout Florida, often use illegal immigrants from Cuba and other Caribbean Islands to work at the grow sites.

Other DTOs and criminal groups of various races/ethnicities, including African American, Caucasian, and Jamaican, distribute drugs at the retail level and midlevel in the North Florida HIDTA region. Most of these traffickers obtain powder cocaine, ice methamphetamine, and Mexican marijuana from Mexican DTOs. African American criminal groups typically distribute crack cocaine and marijuana at the retail level. Caucasian DTOs and criminal groups distribute marijuana, pharmaceutical drugs, and ODDs; they also cultivate cannabis. Jamaican DTOs distribute cocaine and marijuana; these traffickers have established ties with Mexican DTOs located in northern Florida and the Southwest Border area and obtain wholesale quantities of cocaine and Mexican marijuana from these DTOs for distribution in the North Florida HIDTA region. Jamaican DTOs also transport and distribute wholesale quantities of cocaine and marijuana obtained from suppliers in southern Florida and the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) HIDTA region.

Asian DTOs distribute large quantities of MDMA and limited quantities of high-potency Canadian marijuana and pharmaceutical drugs on a sporadic basis in the North Florida HIDTA region. Law enforcement officials report that Asian DTOs, when active, are typically affiliated with larger Asian criminal networks that extend throughout the United States and Canada. These organizations are generally based upon familial or other direct social relationships and are difficult for law enforcement to infiltrate.

Street gangs, both locally based and nationally affiliated, dominate the retail-level distribution of drugs in many areas of the HIDTA region; African American street gangs are the primary retail distributors in urban areas of the region, and Hispanic street gangs are the primary retail distributors in suburban areas of the region. Most street gangs in the area are violent, operate in a defined area or turf, and are homogeneous, typically reflecting the racial/ethnic population of the areas in which they operate. Most gang-related violence is a result of the significant rivalries or disputes over drug territories among street gangs; however, some gang violence is directed at members of the same gang over theft and jealousy. Violent encounters also occur between street gangs and other DTOs. Instances of such rivalry and violence have increased in the past year, most likely the result of decreased drug territory caused, in part, by the encroachment of Mexican DTOs into areas previously controlled by street gangs. Increased violence during the past year also reflects the limited but increasing presence of nationally affiliated street gangs in the region. Moreover, some street gangs also trade illicit drugs for firearms; this trading increases the level of violence.

Local street gangs such as 103rd Street Gang, 45th Street Boys, and Eastside Boys distribute illicit drugs in the North Florida HIDTA region; these gangs are the principal retail distributors of powder and crack cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs in the region. Most street gangs are composed of members with similar racial/ethnic backgrounds, and most are established and based upon street or neighborhood affiliations, especially in northwestern Jacksonville. Some gangs, however, have memberships that consist of African American and Hispanic individuals. Local street gangs commonly adopt multiple facets of the gang culture from national-level street gangs, often from information on the Internet, but typically do not have ties to those national-level gangs. Many local street gangs are formed for a collective pursuit of money derived from illicit drug distribution.

Nationally affiliated street gangs such as Black Disciples, Bloods, Crips, and Latin Kings are increasingly distributing drugs, particularly crack cocaine and marijuana, at the retail level in the region. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office reports that in addition to distributing illicit drugs, these nationally affiliated street gangs are attempting to incorporate the local street gangs to increase their membership and decrease or eliminate competition within local drug markets. Moreover, law enforcement officials in Gainesville and Jacksonville report a limited but growing presence of Mara Salvatrucha (MS 13) street gang members in their jurisdictions.

Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) such as Pagan's, Outlaws, and various support clubs distribute illicit drugs in some areas of the North Florida HIDTA region. OMGs typically distribute cocaine, powder methamphetamine, and high-potency Canadian marijuana. OMGs transport these drugs into the region from sources throughout the United States as well as from Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico.

End Notes

4. North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funds are allocated to nine Initiatives (program areas): Alachua and Columbia Counties Initiative; Currency, Narcotics and Transportation Interdiction; Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team; Prescription Drug Squad; Maritime Investigation and Interdiction Initiative; North Florida HIDTA Task Force; Tri-County Task Force; Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team; and Violent Crime and Narcotics Task Force.
5. The full extent of prescription drug sales from Florida-based Internet pharmacies is an intelligence gap.
6. According to U.S. Census Bureau data from 2000 (the latest year for which such data are available), Caucasians account for 75 percent of the North Florida HIDTA region's population, followed by African Americans (19%), Hispanics (4%), Asians (2%), and other races (less than 1%). Further, the Hispanic population grew over 103 percent, from 38,885 in 1990 to 78,901 in 2000.

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