NCJ Number
34864
Date Published
1976
Length
170 pages
Annotation
A REPORT ON AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THE MEXICAN HEROIN TRAFFIC IN THE CHICAGO AREA.
Abstract
MEXICAN HEROIN (BROWN HEROIN) ACCOUNTED FOR 90 PERCENT OF ALL HEROIN SEIZURES IN CHICAGO RECENTLY. THE MAJORITY OF THE HEROIN IS SHIPPED INTO THIS COUNTRY BY AUTOMOBILE, CLEVERLY HIDDEN IN GAS TANKS OR OTHER PLACES ON THE CAR. AGENTS HAVE HAD TROUBLE INFILTRATING HEROIN-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS BECAUSE SMUGGLING IS CONTROLLED AND CARRIED OUT BY LARGE, CLOSE-KNIT MEXICAN FAMILIES, WHO HAVE CORNERED THE MARKET EVEN TO THE EXCLUSION OF OTHER ORGANIZED CRIME ELEMENTS. ONE CHAPTER DESCRIBES IN CAREFUL DETAIL THE WAY A TYPICAL HEROIN TRAFFICKING NETWORK CONDUCTS ITS BUSINESS, AND ANOTHER OFFERS A CLOSE-UP PROFILE OF A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A HEROIN ADDICT. A FEW OF THE VARIOUS INDICATORS THAT CAN BE USED TO ASSESS HEROIN ABUSE PATTERNS ARE APPLIED TO THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS AREA AND TO THE NATION.