U. S. Department of Justice
National Drug Intelligence Center
National Gang Intelligence Center
Eastern Pennsylvania Drug and Gang Threat Assessment 2011
March 2011
Figure 1. Gangs Involved in Drug Distribution in Urban, Suburban, and Rural Areas in Eastern Pennsylvania
Map showing cities where gangs are involved in drug distribution in urban, suburban, and rural areas in eastern Pennsylvania.
Analysis Criteria for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Areas:
Urban Areas are defined as Census Block Groups with a density
greater than or equal to 2,000 people per square mile, or Places that have a total
population greater than or equal to 100,000 and a density greater than or equal
to 2,000 people per square mile. Urban Areas are also Places that have a total population
greater than or equal to 200,000 people.
Suburban Areas are defined as Census Block Groups no more
than 30 miles from Urban Areas or Census Block Groups with a density greater than
or equal to 500 people per square mile and less than 2,000 people per square mile.
Rural Areas are defined as Census Block Groups with a density
less than 500 people per square mile.
Places are defined as populated place areas that include
census-designated places, consolidated cities, and incorporated places within the
United States identified by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Eastern Pennsylvania cities where gangs are involved in drug distribution are Williamsport, Scranton, Plains, Wilkes-Barre, Mount Pocono, Hazleton, Stroudsburg, Easton, Bethlehem Township, Bethlehem, Allentown, South Whitehall, Hellertown, East Pennsboro, Harrisburg, Lower Paxton, York, Derry, East Hempfield, Lebanon, Warwick, Lancaster, Muhlenberg, Reading, Central Berks, Coatesville, Kennett Square, Trainer, Chester, Upper Darby, Philadelphia, Cheltenham, Bensalem, Northampton, Abington, Norristown, and Upper Gwynedd. Most cities are considered urban/suburban areas.
Source: 2010-2011 National Drug Threat Survey and 2011 Law Enforcement
interviews.
Population Data Source: 2000 U.S. Census.
Figure 2. Greatest Drug Threat to Eastern Pennsylvania Drug Markets for 2011
Chart showing the greatest drug threat to eastern Pennsylvania drug markets for 2011.
Based on 49 respondents to the 2011 National Drug Threat Survey, 9 reported that controlled prescription drugs are the greatest drug threat to eastern Pennsylvania drug markets for 2011; 10 reported marijuana; 12 reported cocaine; and 18 reported heroin.
Note: This chart represents the number of responses from eastern Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies to the 2011 National Drug Threat Survey conducted by NDIC. For the purposes of this reference, eastern Pennsylvania is defined as the counties within the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania.
Figure 3. Greatest Drug Threat, Eastern Pennsylvania, by Number of Agencies Responding to the National Drug Threat Survey, 2008-2011
Chart showing the greatest drug threat, in eastern Pennsylvania, based on information submitted by agencies responding to the National Drug Threat Survey from 2008 to 2011.
In 2008, 52 agencies responded to the National Drug Threat Survey. 23 of these agencies reported that cocaine was the greatest drug threat to eastern Pennsylvania; 15 reported heroin.
In 2009, 49 agencies responded to the National Drug Threat Survey. 16 of these agencies reported that cocaine was the greatest drug threat to eastern Pennsylvania; 18 reported heroin.
In 2010, 43 agencies responded to the National Drug Threat Survey. 15 of these agencies reported that cocaine was the greatest drug threat to eastern Pennsylvania; 19 reported heroin.
In 2011, 49 agencies responded to the National Drug Threat Survey. 12 of these agencies reported that cocaine was the greatest drug threat to eastern Pennsylvania; 18 reported heroin.
Source: National Drug Threat Survey.
Figure 4. DEA Heroin Arrests in Pennsylvania, 2007-2010
Chart showing the number of DEA heroin arrests in Pennsylvania, from 2007 to 2010.
The number of DEA heroin arrests in Pennsylvania was 116 in 2007; 144 in 2008; 139 in 2009; and 185 in 2010.
Source: Drug Enforcement Administration.
Figure 5. Heroin Seized in Pennsylvania, in Kilograms, 2007-2010
Chart showing the amount of heroin seized in Pennsylvania, in kilograms, from 2007 to 2010.
The amount of heroin seized in Pennsylvania was 38.82 kilograms in 2007; 35.26 kilograms in 2008; 87.94 kilograms in 2009; and 263.68 kilograms in 2010.
Source: National Seizure System.
Note: This chart represents the heroin seizure totals for Pennsylvania for the years
queried as they were reported to the National Seizure System (NSS), which is maintained
by the DEA El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC).47
Figure 6. Dominican Persons or Organizations as Subjects of OCDETF Investigations, 2007-2010
Chart showing the number of Dominican persons or organizations as subjects of OCDETF investigations from 2007 to 2010.
The number of Dominican persons or organizations that were subjects of OCDETF investigations was 0 in 2007; 1 in 2008; 0 in 2009; and 8 in 2010.
Source: Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force.
Note: This chart represents the number of OCDETF case summaries that make mention
of Dominican persons or organizations as subjects for each investigation in the
Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania. The totals represent only those OCDETF
investigations that were initiated within each year queried.68
Figure 7. DEA Pennsylvania Cocaine Arrests, 2007-2010
Chart showing the number of DEA Pennsylvania cocaine arrests, from 2007 to 2010.
The number of DEA cocaine arrests in Pennsylvania was 561 in 2007; 408 in 2008; 385 in 2009; and 360 in 2010.
Source: Drug Enforcement Administration.
Figure 8. Drug Source of Supply to Eastern Pennsylvania Drug Markets
Map showing drug source of supply routes to eastern Pennsylvania drug markets.
The New York/New Jersey drug supply route goes to the eastern Pennsylvania cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, Hazleton, Reading, East Stroudsburg, Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown, and Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia drug supply route goes to the eastern Pennsylvania cities of Williamsport, Reading, and Lancaster.
The Southwest Border, Atlanta, or North Carolina drug supply route goes to the eastern Pennsylvania cities of Lebanon, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Reading, and Philadelphia.
Source: Federal, state, and local law enforcement reporting.
Figure 9. Violent Crime in Eastern Pennsylvania, 2006-2009
Chart showing the number of violent crime incidents in eastern Pennsylvania, from 2006 to 2009.
The number of violent crime incidents reported in eastern Pennsylvania was 35,411 in 2006; 33,105 in 2007; 33,019 in 2008; and 31,170 in 2009.
Source: Pennsylvania Uniform Crime Reporting System.
Note: This chart represents all violent crimes, including murder and nonnegligent
manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, reported to the Pennsylvania
Uniform Crime Reporting System by law enforcement agencies in the Northeast and
Southeast Common Human Service Regions in Pennsylvania for each year queried.