Cocaine

National Drug Intelligence Center
Wisconsin Drug Threat Assessment Update
June 2002

Cocaine, both powdered and crack, poses the most significant threat to the safety and welfare of Wisconsin residents. Cocaine-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities increased dramatically from 663 in 1994 to 1,558 in 2000, according to the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS). The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office reported that there were 46 cocaine-related deaths in Milwaukee County in 2001.

Table 1. Drug-Related Treatment Admissions to Publicly Funded Facilities, Wisconsin, 1994-2000

Year	Cocaine	Marijuana	Methamphetamine	Heroin
1994	663	912	40	42
1995	637	1,003	50	46
1996	690	1,278	50	51
1997	868	1,605	67	128
1998	792	1,728	69	63
1999	871	1,484	64	107
2000	1,558	1,907	70	277

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Treatment Episode Data Set.

Cocaine is readily available, particularly in metropolitan areas such as Milwaukee and Madison. According to the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC), cocaine-related federal sentences in Wisconsin accounted for 61.2 percent of all federal drug-related sentences in FY2000. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reported that in the first quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2002, powdered cocaine sold throughout the state for $50 to $125 per gram, $750 to $1,500 per ounce, and $20,000 to $28,000 per kilogram. Crack cocaine sold for $10 to $100 per rock, with the highest prices reported in Green Bay. Prices for larger quantities of crack cocaine generally were the same as those for powdered cocaine. Powdered cocaine purity levels generally exceeded 80 percent, according to DEA. The Milwaukee High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) reported a dramatic increase in the amount of cocaine seized, from 17 kilograms in 2000 to 105 kilograms in 2001.

Violent crime associated with the distribution of crack cocaine is a particular problem in Milwaukee. Organized street gangs that distribute crack at the retail level often engage in acts of violence such as home invasion robberies, aggravated batteries, shootings, stabbings, and carjackings. Gang migration from Milwaukee to other parts of the state has resulted in the spread of crack cocaine availability and associated violence.

To Top To Contents

Mexican DTOs and criminal groups are the primary transporters of cocaine into the state. They typically transport multiounce to multikilogram quantities primarily from Chicago, Los Angeles, and cities in Texas. These DTOs and criminal groups generally use private and rental vehicles to transport cocaine into the state; however, buses, trains, and commercial aircraft are used occasionally.

In April 2002, authorities seized 18 kilograms of cocaine and arrested nine individuals in the Milwaukee area for their involvement in a drug trafficking ring. The yearlong investigation leading up to the arrests revealed that individuals from the group made frequent trips to California and the Southwest to purchase cocaine and transport it back to Milwaukee, hiding the drugs in secret compartments in vehicles. In one trip, they purchased 20 kilograms. The cocaine was kept in "stash houses" and apartments on the East Side, where it was cut and repackaged. Authorities believe the traffickers paid $12,000 to $15,000 per kilogram and distributed it in Milwaukee for $20,000 per kilogram. As a result of the investigation, authorities also seized $170,000 in cash, over 20 weapons (including machine pistols), hundreds of rounds of ammunition, large-screen televisions, a scale, and a bulletproof vest. Authorities also discovered that the organization had houses in the Milwaukee area equipped for growing marijuana. An older couple lived in one home and tended to the plants in exchange for receiving small amounts for "personal use."

Mexican DTOs and criminal groups are the primary wholesale distributors of powdered cocaine in the state. Street gangs dominate retail distribution of both powdered and crack cocaine. Crack cocaine, which usually is converted at stash houses, and powdered cocaine are sold on street corners and from private residences and vehicles.

To Top To Contents To Next Page

To Publications Page To Home Page