NCJ Number
203729
Date Published
October 2003
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This report is a strategic assessment that addresses the status and outlook of the drug threat to Texas.
Abstract
Texas is a gateway for a large percentage of the illicit drugs smuggled to drug markets throughout the United States. Large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana are smuggled into Texas from Mexico for distribution within the State or for eventual transport to drug markets throughout the Nation. Other dangerous drugs, which include MDMA, GHB, PCP, and diverted pharmaceuticals, are smuggled in from Mexico as well. The quantity of illicit drugs smuggled into Texas far exceeds consumption with the State; however, significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and other dangerous drugs are abused in Texas. The assessment presents information by each drug type or category on availability, demand, production or cultivation, transportation, and distribution, as well as the effects of a particular drug on abusers and society as a whole. The assessment found that methamphetamine is a significant drug threat to Texas, and that methamphetamine produced in Mexico is the predominant type available. Locally produced methamphetamine is also available and becoming more prevalent. Mexican criminal groups control most of the transportation, wholesale distribution, and retail-level distribution of methamphetamine in the State. Powdered and crack cocaine are also a significant threat to Texas, with both being readily available and frequently abused throughout the State. Crack cocaine is more readily available in larger metropolitan areas such as Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Mexican criminal groups dominate the transportation and wholesale distribution of powdered cocaine, while retail distribution is spread among many groups that include independent dealers, outlaw motorcycle gangs, street gangs, and prison gangs. Heroin is a considerable threat to Texas with Mexican black tar and Mexican brown powdered as the predominant types available throughout the State. Mexican criminal groups control the trade of Mexican heroin, while Columbian groups dominate the trade of South American heroin, and Nigerian and other West African groups dominate the trade of Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin. Marijuana is also a threat to Texas, and marijuana produced in Mexico is the predominant type available throughout the State. Mexican criminal groups dominate the transportation and wholesale distribution of the drug, while Caucasian, African-American, Jamaican, and Hispanic criminal groups; local independent dealers; prison gangs; and street gangs control the retail-level distribution of marijuana in the State. Other dangerous drugs, which include MDMA, GHB, PCP, and diverted pharmaceuticals, are smuggled into Texas and present varying threats to the State. The assessment found that overall, Texas will continue to serve as a major destination and transshipment point for illicit drugs, and that Mexican drug-trading organizations will remain the greatest threat along the U.S.-Mexico border. Tables, figures, and list of sources