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Strategic Drug Threat Developments
- Cocaine availability decreased in the PC HIDTA region during the first
half of 2007 because of a combination of factors including large seizures of
cocaine in transit to the United States, successful law enforcement efforts
against prominent Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs), violent
conflicts between competing Mexican DTOs, and increased competition from
non-U.S. markets. As of August 2007 some law enforcement officials in the
region reported that cocaine availability was returning to levels observed
before the shortage was noted.
- Heroin is frequently abused in the HIDTA region, and its abuse is
spreading to new and younger user populations. Additionally, deaths related
to the abuse of heroin and fentanyl in combination, which spiked to 170 in
Philadelphia in 2006, decreased sharply to 18 in the first 6 months of 2007
(the latest available information).
- The abuse of diverted pharmaceuticals is rising in the region,
particularly among teenagers and young adults. Diverted pharmaceutical abuse
appears to be emerging as a gateway to the abuse of other drugs such as
heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine among adolescents and young adults.
- Methadone abuse is an increasing threat to the HIDTA region. In the
Philadelphia metropolitan area the availability of diverted methadone on the
street is due, in large part, to patients in opioid treatment programs
selling portions of their take-home doses of the drug.
- Mexican DTOs are becoming more involved in the illicit drug trade in the
PC HIDTA region, particularly the transportation of cocaine and heroin into
the area on behalf of Colombian and Dominican DTOs.
- Canada-based Asian DTOs are a significant and growing concern to law
enforcement in the HIDTA region. They are producing increasing amounts of
high-potency marijuana at indoor sites in Philadelphia residential
neighborhoods. Moreover, Vietnamese DTOs based in Canada have emerged as
significant producers, transporters, and distributors of MDMA
(3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known as ecstasy) available in the
region.
- Street gang activity is increasing in the PC HIDTA region, particularly
in Camden and South Philadelphia; street gang activity also is expanding
into surrounding communities such as Bensalem and Bristol, Pennsylvania.
Many Bloods gang members are moving into these areas from northern New
Jersey to recruit members and take over established drug markets.
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