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Drug Situation: Mexican National poly-drug organizations control most drug trafficking organizations in the state. Methamphetamine, produced in and outside the region, is widely available. Controlled substances are smuggled into the state via air and land routes from Southwest border-states and Mexico. Marijuana and "Club Drugs" are common in Idaho.

Cocaine: Cocaine is readily available throughout the state, but is largely limited to affluent users. Because of its lower price and higher purity, methamphetamine has replaced cocaine as the drug of choice.

Heroin: Mexican black tar and brown heroin is readily available in Idaho. It is commonly smuggled into the state in hidden compartments in vehicles. Increasingly, heroin is moved into the state via air transport from the southwestern states of the US. Increasingly heroin is moved into the state via air transport from the southwestern states of the US.

Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is one of the most widely abused drugs in the state. Methamphetamine impacts across all elements of society. Most methamphetamine is manufactured elsewhere, primarily in Mexico, California, and other Southwest Border States. When large quantities of methamphetamine are seized in northern Idaho, the source is usually from the Yakima Valley, WA, area. Idaho has experienced a dramatic decrease in methamphetamine labs which law enforcement agencies contribute to better sentencing of violators found guilty of manufacturing the drug. As a result of a decrease in lab seizures local Hispanic distributors have increased distribution of methamphetamine smuggled into the state. Crystal methamphetamine, often 100 percent pure, is increasing in availability in the state. Source areas for this type of methamphetamine include California and Nevada. Crystal methamphetamine, often 100 percent pure, is increasing in availability in the state. Source areas for this type of methamphetamine include California and Nevada. Idaho has experienced a dramatic decrease in methamphetamine labs which law enforcement agencies contribute to better sentencing of violators found guilty of manufacturing the drug. As a result of a decrease in lab seizures local Hispanic distributors have increased distribution of methamphetamine smuggled into the state.

Club Drugs: Club Drugs, particularly MDMA (methylene-dioxy-methamphetamine) (also known as Ecstasy), LSD, and ketamine are popular among young adults and are sold at local rave parties. The Seattle, Washington, area is the source of most MDMA available in Idaho. Synthetic drugs, uncommon in other areas of the division, to include 2C-B, DET (a drug that imitates a psychotic state for psychological/medical experiments), SMeo DIPT, a.k.a. "Foxy" and "Foxy Methoxy" have appeared in the Boise rave scene. The Seattle, WA area is the source of most MDMA available in Idaho.

Marijuana: Marijuana abuse in Idaho is second only to methamphetamine abuse. Marijuana cultivation, both indoor and outdoor, is widespread. Mexican marijuana is also available, but is not preferred. Marijuana abuse in Idaho is second only to methamphetamine.

Other Drugs: The most commonly abused pharmaceutical drugs encountered in the state are hydrocodone and benzodiazepines. Soma and its generic equivalent are commonly abused in combination with hydrocodone. The prescription drug Oxycontin is a growing problem in northern Idaho. The drug is more prevalent and easier to buy. The largest increase of OxyContin prescriptions has occurred in pain-management medical specialty clinics. Methadone is frequently utilized for pain management, because it is less expensive than other Schedule II analgesics. The prescription drug Oxycontin is a growing problem in northern Idaho. The drug is more prevalent and easier to buy.

DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams: This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts was conceived in 1995 in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation. There have been 409 deployments completed resulting in 16,763 arrests of violent drug criminals as of February 2004. There have been two MET deployments in the State of Idaho since the inception of the program: Nampa and Lewiston.

DEA Regional Enforcement Teams: This program was designed to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting drug organizations operating in the United States where there is a lack of sufficient local drug law enforcement. This Program was conceived in 1999 in response to the threat posed by drug trafficking organizations that have established networks of cells to conduct drug trafficking operations in smaller, non-traditional trafficking locations in the United States. Nationwide, there have been 22 deployments completed resulting in 608 arrests of drug trafficking criminals as of February 2004. There have been no RET deployments in the State of Idaho.

More information about the Seattle Division Office.

Sources

Factsheet last updated: 2/2004

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