U.S. Department of Justice
National Drug Intelligence Center
Northern California HIDTA Drug Market Analysis 2010
June 2010

Drug Trafficking Organizations

Mexican DTOs based in the Northern California HIDTA region are the greatest organizational threat, since they are the principal illicit drug producers, transporters, and wholesale distributors in the area. They typically smuggle methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin from Mexico through U.S. ports of entry (POEs) in Calexico, San Ysidro, and Otay Mesa, California, to the Northern California HIDTA region for distribution. Mexican DTOs operating in the region are based on familial ties. They control local cultivation of large quantities of cannabis in addition to major domestic methamphetamine and marijuana production operations in the Central Valley of California. Mexican DTOs often use revenues derived from marijuana sales as start-up money to fund methamphetamine production operations.

Asian DTOs and criminal groups are the principal suppliers of Canadian high-potency marijuana and MDMA. These traffickers also operate extensive indoor cannabis cultivation operations, typically located at residences in newer communities in the Northern California HIDTA region. These indoor operations are often acquired through fraudulent mortgage financing. Asian DTOs typically restrict involvement in their drug trafficking operations to individuals of similar race/ethnicity and familial affiliation. Many Asian DTOs and criminal groups, predominantly Vietnamese, distribute marijuana and MDMA at the midlevel and retail level in the area.

Street gangs, prison gangs, and outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMGs) are the primary midlevel and retail-level illicit drug distributors in the Northern California HIDTA region. Hispanic street gangs, primarily affiliates of the Sureņos and Norteņos gangs, distribute methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. African American street gang members, primarily affiliates of Bloods and Crips, distribute crack cocaine and marijuana at the retail level in the HIDTA region. Asian street gangs such as Wah Ching and Asian Boyz are involved primarily in retail-level MDMA and marijuana distribution. Prison gangs such as Border Brothers and Kumi Nation are involved in the distribution of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and marijuana. Members of OMGs, most notably Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC), are active in the midlevel and retail-level distribution of powder cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. Gang members are often extremely violent as they establish and maintain control of their drug trafficking activities. For example, in May 2009, a jury convicted a member of the Page Street Mob on 16 charges, including narcotics conspiracy, kidnapping, and the murders of three individuals, one of whom was a federal witness who provided testimony against the gang member. In addition, street gangs, prison gangs, and OMGs operating in the HIDTA region distribute illicit drugs to their counterparts in cities throughout the country to capitalize on the higher profits that can be made in those cities.

UNCLASSIFIED

End of page.