U.S. Department of Justice
National Drug Intelligence Center
Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA Drug Market Analysis 2010
April 2010
Mexican DTOs are well positioned to increase their wholesale drug distribution operations from the Southwest Border and Atlanta in the coming year. NDIC analysts expect Dominican DTOs to increase their influence in the region as they further develop Mexican and Caribbean sources for cocaine and heroin supplies. Hispanic and African American street gangs will increase their retail-level distribution operations, particularly in suburban and rural areas, leading to violent confrontations over distribution territories.
Cocaine availability in the PC HIDTA region is expected to fluctuate but remain at levels sufficient to support market demand. Heroin abuse in suburban and rural areas of the region will result in a rising number of heroin-related treatment admissions and overdoses. The availability of high-potency marijuana from local production and from Canada is expected to rise to meet increasing demand for the drug in the PC HIDTA region. Moreover, the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act will create new challenges for law enforcement officials as cannabis cultivators and abusers seek to exploit state medical marijuana laws. Programs such as Operation Medicine Cabinet in New Jersey are expected to stabilize or reduce the number of CPD abusers in the PC HIDTA region, particularly among teenagers and young adults.
UNCLASSIFIED
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