Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine poses a lesser threat to South Carolina than cocaine and marijuana. However, production and abuse are increasing, especially in the Upstate and Midlands areas, and state and local law enforcement authorities report that methamphetamine producers and distributors often commit violent crimes. According to the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, the number of methamphetamine-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities in FY2001 (103) was greater than in FY1997 (58). (See Table 1 in Cocaine section.) In 1999--the most recent year for which these data are available--the number of methamphetamine-related treatment admissions per 100,000 population in South Carolina (2) was lower than the number per 100,000 population nationwide (32), according to TEDS.

Methamphetamine availability generally is low to moderate in most parts of the state; however, it is increasing, particularly in the Midlands region around Columbia and the Upstate region around Greenville, according to law enforcement authorities. Federal law enforcement officials seized 4.6 kilograms of methamphetamine in FY2001, according to FDSS data. USSC data indicate that 4.9 percent of all federal drug-related sentences in South Carolina in FY2000 were methamphetamine-related compared with 14.5 percent nationwide. According to the DEA Atlanta Division, methamphetamine produced in Mexico, California, and southwestern states sold for $8,000 to $20,000 per pound, $750 to $2,000 per ounce, and $300 per gram throughout the state in the first quarter of FY2001.

Methamphetamine produced by Mexican criminal groups in Mexico, California, and southwestern states is the predominant type available in South Carolina, although the production of methamphetamine in the state is an emerging trend. Local independent Caucasian males are the primary producers of methamphetamine in South Carolina, and they typically consume most of what they produce. They generally use the Birch reduction method of production, which requires anhydrous ammonia, a common agricultural fertilizer. Law enforcement officials throughout rural areas of South Carolina report increased thefts of anhydrous ammonia, which they attribute to increased methamphetamine production in their areas. The iodine/red phosphorus method also is used to produce methamphetamine in South Carolina, but to a lesser extent. According to the DEA Atlanta Division, there were 6 methamphetamine laboratories seized in South Carolina in 1999, 3 in 2000, and 10 in 2001. Moreover, the DEA Columbia District Office reports that there have been 37 methamphetamine laboratories seized between January 1 and May 28, 2002. Laboratories have been discovered in private residences, motel rooms, cars, trucks, trailers, and secluded wooded areas.

Mexican criminal groups and, to a lesser extent, OMGs transport methamphetamine into South Carolina from production sites and distribution centers in Mexico, California, and southwestern states, and they frequently transport methamphetamine along with shipments of marijuana. Mexican criminal groups commonly transport methamphetamine into the state via commercial and private vehicles, while OMGs primarily use private vehicles to transport the drug into South Carolina. Local independent dealers transport small quantities of methamphetamine into the state from North Carolina and Georgia in private vehicles. Law enforcement authorities also report that methamphetamine is transported into South Carolina by couriers traveling aboard commercial aircraft and buses; however, there have been no recently reported seizures to indicate that these transportation methods are frequently used to transport methamphetamine. A limited amount of locally produced methamphetamine is transported by independent producers within the state primarily via private vehicles.

Criminal groups, OMGs, street gangs, and local independent dealers distribute methamphetamine in South Carolina. Mexican criminal groups are the primary wholesale distributors of methamphetamine produced in Mexico, California, and southwestern states. OMGs and street gangs distribute wholesale quantities of methamphetamine produced in Mexico, California, and southwestern states, to a lesser extent. There is little wholesale distribution of methamphetamine produced locally by Caucasian independent dealers; they typically consume most of what they produce and sell only small quantities of methamphetamine to known associates to fund further production. Mexican criminal groups, OMGs, and street gangs distribute methamphetamine produced in Mexico, California, and southwestern states at the retail level. Retail sales usually occur at truck stops, bars, and private residences.

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