Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is not considered a major threat in New Hampshire; however, availability and abuse appear to be increasing. Mexican DTOs are the primary transporters and wholesale distributors of most methamphetamine available in New Hampshire. They ship it from San Diego, California, and the Southwest Border area using express mail services. OMGs and independent dealers, generally Caucasians, distribute the drug at the retail level throughout the state.

Abuse

Methamphetamine abuse is rising in New Hampshire, particularly around the seacoast area. Some crack users have begun to use methamphetamine because of its long-lasting euphoric effects and its comparatively lower cost. Young people, also attracted to the drug's euphoric effects, are increasingly using methamphetamine at rave parties.

Availability

Methamphetamine availability in New Hampshire is increasing. State drug enforcement officers investigated more methamphetamine cases in 1998 than in the 5 previous years combined. The Manchester Police Department conducted seven methamphetamine-related investigations and made two arrests in 2000. The department seized approximately 1 ounce of methamphetamine in 1999. In New Hampshire, an ounce of methamphetamine averages from $1,300 to $1,600.

The availability of pseudoephedrine, a precursor chemical for methamphetamine, is rising. The Portsmouth Police Department and the DEA Boston Diversion Group have received information that New Hampshire residents obtain large quantities of pseudoephedrine from pharmacies both in the state and in Massachusetts.

In August 1997, special agents of the DEA Concord Resident Office seized approximately 1 pound of methamphetamine from an individual in Manchester. Further developments revealed that the defendant in this investigation had received several pounds of the drug prior to the arrest.

Violence

The potential for violence associated with methamphetamine is significant. Individuals addicted to methamphetamine are unpredictable and will go to great lengths, including committing violent acts, to obtain the drug. Methamphetamine users often experience feelings of paranoia, fright, and confusion and, as a result, may become violent.

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Production

Currently, most of the methamphetamine available in New Hampshire is produced in Mexico and smuggled by Mexican DTOs into New Hampshire. However, easy access to precursor chemicals from Canada as well as the abundance of isolated, rural areas where methamphetamine laboratories may go undetected may induce criminal groups to begin producing methamphetamine in the state on a larger scale.

The Northern Border is emerging as a gateway through which drug traffickers smuggle methamphetamine precursor chemicals into the United States. Precursors such as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and P2P (phenyl-2-propanone) are unregulated, easily obtained, and inexpensive in Canada. U.S. and Canadian OMGs use couriers on foot to backpack the chemicals into the rural, unguarded areas of northern New England. Although no precursors have been seized on the New Hampshire border, this emerging trend increases the potential for methamphetamine production in New Hampshire.

Authorities seized an outdoor methamphetamine laboratory in Exeter, New Hampshire, on October 21, 1998, as part of a joint investigation between the DEA and the Exeter Police Department. This laboratory was capable of producing multiounce quantities of methamphetamine. The operators of this laboratory allegedly were supplying methamphetamine to the Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, area.

A nonoperational, methamphetamine laboratory was seized in an urban multifamily dwelling in Manchester. On June 18, 2000, authorities responded to a reported fire at the home and found what appeared to be several containers of unidentified chemicals. A search warrant was obtained and the laboratory was dismantled. Although nonoperational, the laboratory was capable of producing multiounce quantities of methamphetamine.

The laboratories seized in New Hampshire used the lithium metal "Nazi" reduction manufacturing method, which does not require extensive knowledge of chemistry or sophisticated laboratory equipment. The Nazi method uses sodium or lithium metal and ephedrine and normally produces ounce quantities of high quality methamphetamine. This method is frequently used by independent Caucasian methamphetamine cookers and is faster than the ephedrine reduction method used by Mexican DTOs in other areas.

Environmental damage resulting from the disposal of hazardous waste created in the production of methamphetamine is an additional area of concern.

Transportation

Mexican DTOs are the primary transporters of most methamphetamine available in New Hampshire. They typically ship the drug from San Diego, California, and the Southwest Border area through express mail services.

Distribution

OMGs and independent dealers distribute methamphetamine at the wholesale and retail levels in southern New Hampshire. OMGs, increasingly present throughout New Hampshire, are involved in both production and distribution; however, their production activities are limited. Generally, OMGs receive supplies of methamphetamine from Mexican DTOs in California and the Southwest Border area. They then distribute the drug throughout New Hampshire. Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case information reports that OMGs have received methamphetamine from California via express mail services for distribution in the Concord, New Hampshire, area.

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