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Title:
Publication Date: August 2002
Document ID: 2002-L0424-005
Contents
List of Tables
Table 1. Estimated U.S. Methamphetamine Prices, Powdered and Crystal, June 2002
Overview
High purity crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice or glass, is becoming increasingly available in the United States. Asian criminal groups that traditionally distributed crystal methamphetamine in Hawaii and on the West Coast are now distributing the drug in other areas of the country as well. Moreover, Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) and criminal groups are becoming increasingly involved in the production and distribution of crystal methamphetamine, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and many state and local law enforcement officials.
Background
Risk of Explosion
Availability
MSM Used as a Cutting Agent
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Federal Sentencing
Outlook
The increasing availability of crystal methamphetamine may indicate that Mexican DTOs and criminal groups and Asian criminal groups are attempting to create demand for crystal methamphetamine throughout the United States. Mexican criminal groups operating in the United States pose the greatest threat due to their existing methamphetamine production, transportation, and distribution networks. Mexican DTOs and criminal groups are using these networks to distribute crystal methamphetamine in areas of the country where the drug was previously available only in limited quantities or not at all. Asian criminal groups also will contribute to the growing availability of crystal methamphetamine due to their increasing involvement in distributing the drug in areas other than Hawaii and the West Coast. As the availability of crystal methamphetamine increases, a corresponding increase in the number of abusers will likely occur. The fact that the drug commands a significantly higher price than powdered methamphetamine is not likely to slow demand for the drug.
Sources
State and Regional
Remove Cut From Meth Fast
National
National Institutes of Health
National Institute on Drug Abuse
Criminal Division
Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section
Drug Enforcement Administration
Atlanta Division
Denver Division
El Paso Intelligence Center
Operation Jetway
Houston Division
Los Angeles Division
Las Vegas District Office
Miami Division
New Orleans Division
Phoenix Division
San Francisco Division
Oakland Resident Office
St. Louis Division
Kansas City District Office
Southwest Laboratory
Western Regional Laboratory
Addresses
National Drug Intelligence Center
319 Washington Street, 5th Floor
Johnstown, PA 15901
Tel. (814) 532-4601
FAX (814) 532-4690
Email [email protected]