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National Drug Intelligence Center |
Cocaine trafficking and abuse will remain one of the primary drug threats to the South Florida HIDTA region. Despite reported cocaine shortages in the South Florida HIDTA region, most local distributors will be able to acquire adequate supplies to meet demand, albeit at higher prices. However, the disruption of some large DTOs and the emergence of smaller organizations in Colombia may further disrupt cocaine supplies to the South Florida HIDTA region in the coming year. If cocaine shortages continue, local distributors may seek new sources of supply in the Caribbean, the Southwest Border, Atlanta, or other Florida cities in an effort to purchase sufficient supplies of cocaine at lower prices.
The number and size of indoor cannabis grow sites will quite likely increase during the next year as Cuban DTOs and other local producers seek to profit from the rising demand for high-potency marijuana in the South Florida HIDTA region. Cuban DTOs will continue to use illegal immigrants to work at indoor cannabis grow sites. Moreover, an abundance of low-cost real estate available in the region as a result of declining economic factors will provide marijuana producers with increased potential for expansion of their indoor grow operations.
Established diversion networks in the South Florida HIDTA region will continue to supply CPDs to distributors and abusers throughout the eastern United States. Compounding this situation are illicit Internet pharmacies operating in Florida, including those in the South Florida HIDTA region. However, the Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 will most likely deter some Internet pharmacy operators. CPD-related deaths, particularly among youths, may increase as the average age of CPD abusers in the region decreases and CPDs are abused in combination with other drugs.
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