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National Drug Intelligence
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The Northern California HIDTA region is a regional and national-level distribution center for methamphetamine and marijuana produced in the region as well as marijuana, ice methamphetamine, and cocaine smuggled from Mexico into the United States. Mexican DTOs are the primary wholesale distributors of drugs in the region, typically utilizing stash sites located at private residences, warehouses, and storage facilities in cities and towns throughout the region. Mexican DTOs and criminal groups use the area as a base of operations for illicit drug distribution to markets in the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, Hawaii, Canada, and areas along the east coast. Traffickers primarily use private and commercial vehicles to transport drugs from the region, generally along Interstates 5, 15, 70, 80, and 84.
Street gangs, prison gangs, and OMGs operating in the HIDTA region distribute illicit drugs to their counterparts in cities located throughout the country to capitalize on the higher profits that can be made in those cities. Various traffickers in the area, including Caucasian criminal groups and independent dealers and Asian DTOs, distribute marijuana produced in northern California and, to a lesser extent, BC Bud to other areas of the country in order to meet the demand for high-potency marijuana. ODDs such as MDMA and GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), diverted pharmaceuticals, and other illicit drugs such as opium and khat that are abused within certain ethnic communities are distributed from the area largely because of the significant quantities of these drugs that are transported from foreign sources into the U.S. Customs International Mail Branch located in Oakland.
Mexican DTOs and criminal groups dominate wholesale distribution in the Northern California HIDTA region, supplying wholesale quantities primarily to other criminal groups as well as to street gangs, prison gangs, and OMGs. These groups then supply midlevel quantities to retail distributors--primarily smaller street gangs and independent dealers. In midsize and large metropolitan areas, street and prison gangs dominate retail distribution, while in small towns and rural areas, independent dealers are the primary retail distributors. Drug sales in metropolitan areas generally are conducted in open-air markets (located on streets and in parking lots) and in clubs and bars; distributors sell to both new, unfamiliar customers and well-known, repeat customers. Drug sales in rural areas usually take place at prearranged locations, typically between a dealer and known or referred customers.
Traffickers commonly use cell phones to facilitate drug sales in the HIDTA region, particularly to negotiate transactions and prearrange meetings with customers. They prefer to conduct business conversations on phones with point-to-point capabilities, believing that these communications are difficult for law enforcement to intercept. Traffickers generally use cell phones for a limited time (often no more than 30 days) before switching to a new phone and number to further reduce the possibility of having calls monitored. Traffickers also use text messaging to communicate, arrange meetings and coordinate deliveries.
California Proposition 215 has changed marijuana distribution patterns in the Northern California HIDTA region. According to law enforcement officials, some traffickers use cannabis clubs established under Proposition 215 to acquire marijuana for distribution. Law enforcement officials further report that a significant portion of the high-grade marijuana available in the area is distributed through these clubs and that the clubs generate millions of dollars in proceeds annually. Many marijuana distributors, some of whom hold state medical marijuana cards, reportedly use cannabis clubs as their primary source of supply, while others, who produce marijuana, purchase the drug from cannabis clubs when they deplete their own supplies. Marijuana abusers also purchase the drug at cannabis clubs for personal use. As a result of the proliferation of cannabis clubs and the resulting public complaints, the San Francisco Bay area has instituted a moratorium on the opening of additional cannabis clubs.
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Two Brothers Indicted as Part of Marijuana Investigation In October 2007 the U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of California announced the indictment of two brothers for conspiracy to distribute more than 100 kilograms of marijuana, distribution of marijuana, maintaining drug-involved premises, conspiracy to launder money, and money laundering. The investigation began in late 2006, when it was reported that these two individuals were operating large-scale marijuana distribution centers in Hayward and Alameda Counties under the guise of being compassionate caregivers. The brothers allegedly employed an armored car service to transport the marijuana sales proceeds from the marijuana distribution center to a bank, while armed guards were employed at the business location. The indictment further alleged that the distribution center generated substantial sales and profits, which increased annually from $74,000 in 2004 to more than $26 million by June 2007. In addition, the indictment alleges that the brothers used proceeds derived from the sale of marijuana to purchase high-value luxury automobiles and motorcycles; a residence in Lafayette, California; and a commercial building in Albany, California, as well as two individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Source: U.S. Attorney Northern District of California press release dated October 30, 2007. |
Drug distribution over the Internet has expanded in the Northern California HIDTA region. Traffickers and abusers often post messages on web sites containing advertisements to sell or purchase illicit drugs. Distributors sell marijuana, cannabis derivatives (hashish and hash oil), methamphetamine, MDMA, and diverted pharmaceuticals through the Internet because of the anonymity it provides and the minimal risk of law enforcement detection. Traffickers initiate contact with customers over the Internet and either ship illicit drugs by package delivery services or arrange to have the drugs delivered to a designated location, with payment made through an Internet pay account or in cash upon delivery.
Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse significantly impact crime in the Northern California HIDTA region. Of the 70 state and local law enforcement officials responding to the NDTS 2007, the majority reported that methamphetamine was the greatest drug threat in their respective jurisdictions as well as the drug that most contributes to violent crime and property crime. (See Table 2.) Law enforcement officials also report that most incidents of assault, burglary, domestic violence, and homicide that occur in the region are related to methamphetamine distribution and abuse. Additionally, law enforcement reporting indicates that methamphetamine abusers commit a considerable amount of property crime in the area, including identity theft, to acquire money with which to purchase methamphetamine and other illicit drugs.
Table 2. Northern California Law Enforcement Responses to the National Drug Threat Survey 2007
| Drug | Greatest Drug Threat | Most Contributes to Violent Crime | Most Contributes to Property Crime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methamphetamine | 66 | 57 | 63 |
| Crack Cocaine | 3 | 10 | 6 |
| Marijuana | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Heroin | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Total respondents: 70
Marijuana-related violence is escalating in the HIDTA region, particularly violence perpetrated by cannabis cultivators. According to law enforcement officials, an increasing number of armed individuals are protecting cannabis crops because of their high value, the competition with other outdoor growers, and previous successful eradication efforts by law enforcement. Additionally, many crop tenders are illegal aliens who must tend a grow site through a successful harvest to pay the Mexican traffickers who sponsored their entry into the country; such individuals have a strong incentive to protect marijuana grow sites from intrusion by any means, including booby traps. As such, cannabis cultivation operations are a threat to the safety of law enforcement officers as well as unwitting visitors, hunters, and hikers.
Home invasion robberies of indoor cannabis operations are also increasing within the HIDTA region. According to law enforcement officials, burglaries of grow sites, including repeat burglaries, occurred periodically in the HIDTA region during 2007. Law enforcement officials also report an increase in the number of weapons seized at indoor grow sites, suggesting that cannabis cultivators are more frequently arming themselves to protect their operations. For example, the Santa Clara Sheriff's Department seized a cannabis grow house that contained 11 guns, including an AK-47. HIDTA officials have also noted seizures of .50-caliber ammunition and other assault weapons that are illegal in California. In addition, some indoor cannabis cultivators protect their grow sites with life-threatening booby traps.
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