Cocaine

National Drug Intelligence Center
Oklahoma Drug Threat Assessment
October 2002

Cocaine continues to pose a significant threat to Oklahoma. Cocaine abuse is prevalent in the state, and abuse among young people is a particular concern. Cocaine is available throughout Oklahoma, and its distribution frequently is associated with violence. The primary transporters and wholesale distributors of powdered cocaine are Mexican DTOs and Mexican criminal groups; the latter also are involved in the midlevel and retail distribution of powdered cocaine. Street gangs, primarily Hispanic and African American, and independent dealers also distribute powdered cocaine at the retail level. African American criminal groups and African American street gangs are the primary distributors of crack cocaine at the retail level. Independent dealers and Hispanic street gangs also distribute crack cocaine at the retail level.

Abuse

Cocaine abuse remains a threat to Oklahoma, although abuse indicators are mixed. According to TEDS, cocaine-related treatment admissions to publicly funded facilities decreased from 1,982 in 1997 to 1,345 in 2000, then increased to 1,654 in 2001. (See Table 1 in Methamphetamine section.) In 2001 African Americans accounted for the highest percentage (59.2%) of admissions for smoked cocaine, and Caucasians accounted for the highest percentage (72.1%) of admissions for cocaine administered by other routes. According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, 18 percent of substance abuse-related treatment admissions in FY2001 reported abusing cocaine as the primary drug of choice. According to treatment data, when asked to list their primary drug of choice, individuals were allowed to report more than one drug (including alcohol) and, on average, reported 1.7 drugs of choice.

In 1999 the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services conducted a survey of three populations--general adult, Native American, and corrections (prisoners, probationers, and parolees)--to determine the extent of drug abuse among Oklahoma residents. The Department estimated that over 200,000 members (8.5%) of the general adult population and over 15,000 members (9.4%) of the Native American population had used cocaine at least once in their lifetime. It also estimated that more than 12,000 prisoners (61.2%) and 14,000 probationers and parolees (45.6%) had used cocaine at least once in their lifetime. In the general adult population, the highest rate of use was found among males and females aged 18 to 29. Among the Native American population, the highest rate was found among males and females aged 30 to 44.

Cocaine use is prevalent among teenagers in Oklahoma. According to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services 1999-2000 school year survey, 9.2 percent of high school students surveyed reported that they had used cocaine at least once during their lifetime. Regarding past month abuse, 4.3 percent reported that they had used cocaine during the 30 days prior to the survey. Overall use was lowest among tenth graders and highest among twelfth graders. A separate survey conducted by the Army Substance Abuse Program at Fort Sill in January 2000 indicates that 7.9 percent of teenage respondents abused cocaine at least once in their lifetime. Oklahoma teenagers continue to use cocaine, particularly crack, according to respondents to a teen drug use questionnaire from the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) in April 2001. These respondents included a healthcare service in Enid, Youth Services for Oklahoma County, McCurtin County Educational Co-op, and the Moore Alcohol and Drug Center.

In Oklahoma County the number of deaths in which cocaine was a factor increased steadily from 37 in 1996 to 56 in 1998, then decreased to 28 in 2000, according to DAWN mortality data.

Cocaine abuse is prevalent among adult male arrestees in Oklahoma City. According to ADAM data, over one-fifth (22.4%) of adult male arrestees tested positive for cocaine in 2000.

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Availability

Cocaine is available throughout Oklahoma, according to law enforcement. Powdered cocaine and crack cocaine are widely available in Oklahoma City and Tulsa--crack cocaine is available primarily in urban areas. Cocaine also is available in the Panhandle, which is composed of Beaver, Cimarron, Harper, and Texas Counties. According to the District 1 Drug Task Force of the District Attorney's Office, cocaine is available in the Panhandle in quantities as large as kilograms.

The price of powdered cocaine in Oklahoma is stable. The DEA Dallas Division reports that the price of cocaine throughout the state remained stable from the third quarter of FY2000 to the first quarter of FY2002. Powdered cocaine in Oklahoma City sold for $90 per gram, $550 to $900 per ounce, and $18,000 to $20,000 per kilogram in the first quarter of FY2002. In Tulsa powdered cocaine sold for $80 to $100 per gram, $750 to $1,200 per ounce, and $14,000 to $24,000 per kilogram. In Duncan it sold for $100 per gram and $1,000 to $1,200 per ounce in the first quarter of FY2001. FY2002 prices for Duncan were not available.

Retail prices for crack cocaine are stable. The DEA Dallas Division reports that the price of crack cocaine throughout the state remained stable from the third quarter of FY2000 to the first quarter of FY2002. Crack cocaine in Oklahoma City sold for $5 to $50 per rock, $25 per vial, and $750 per ounce in the first quarter of FY2002. In Tulsa crack cocaine sold for $80 to $120 per gram and $700 to $1,000 per ounce. The purity level of ounce quantities in Tulsa ranged from 20 to 65 percent. In Duncan crack cocaine sold for $70 to $120 per gram and $900 to $1,200 per ounce. In McAlester crack cocaine sold for $20 per rock, $100 per gram, and $800 to $1,200 per ounce.

The number of federal sentences for cocaine-related offenses in Oklahoma decreased overall from FY1997 to FY2000. According to the USSC, in FY1997 there were 67 cocaine-related federal sentences, 57 in FY1998, 61 in FY1999, and 54 in FY2000.

Violence

Crack cocaine often is associated with violence in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. The DEA Oklahoma City District Office reports a steady increase in the number of major crack distributors who are associated with violent Los Angeles-based street gangs such as Bloods and Crips. Gangs operating in Oklahoma City are involved in violent acts such as drug-related shootings, drive-by shootings, and robberies. Bloods, Crips, and South Side Locos present the greatest challenge to Oklahoma City law enforcement. South Side Locos is considered one of the city's most violent gangs. The Tulsa Area Response Gang Enforcement Team (TARGET) in 1999 identified 284 gang sets with 915 gang members and 1,437 associate members. Crips, consisting of 117 gang sets with 1,084 members and associate members, was the largest street gang identified in Tulsa, followed by Bloods, consisting of 50 gang sets with 464 members and associate members. In 1999 approximately 40 percent of Bloods members and approximately 23 percent of the associate members were arrested on drug charges.

Street Gangs and Violence

Drug-related violence often is associated with street gang activity. Street gangs that distribute cocaine use violence and intimidation to protect their turf or to impose "taxes" on other drug distributors. Intimidation often includes threats of violence against family members and, in some cases, against law enforcement personnel. In January 1998 gang members in a rural community in Muskogee County murdered a cooperating source when his involvement with federal law enforcement was discovered. In some cases Mexican criminal groups hire street gang members as enforcers to protect their cocaine distribution markets.

Source: U.S. Attorney Western District of Oklahoma.

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Production

Coca is not cultivated nor is cocaine produced in Oklahoma. However, some powdered cocaine is converted to crack cocaine within the state. The conversion of powdered cocaine into crack takes place primarily in Duncan, Hugo, McAlester, and Tulsa. Reprocessing crack cocaine is a common practice among retail distributors in the Duncan area. The DEA Dallas Division reports that some producers believe reprocessing (recooking) the crack cocaine will remove more impurities.

Transportation

Mexican DTOs and Mexican criminal groups, the primary transporters of cocaine into and through Oklahoma, transport cocaine shipments from transshipment points in southwestern states and California. These DTOs and criminal groups typically transport cocaine via private and rental vehicles, which often are outfitted with hidden compartments. Most of the cocaine transported into and through Oklahoma is smuggled across the Southwest Border from Mexico and transported through cities in Texas such as Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, and Houston. Cocaine also is transported from Cactus and Amarillo, Texas. Cocaine transshipped from these cities usually is en route to Guymon, located in Texas County, which borders Texas. Some cocaine also is transported into Oklahoma from California.

To a lesser extent, other criminal groups transport cocaine into Oklahoma. The DEA Dallas Division reports that some African American criminal groups are purchasing inexpensive automobiles and outfitting them with hidden compartments to transport cocaine.

Seizures of cocaine along Oklahoma highways increased from 1999 through 2000, the most recent data available. Operation Pipeline data indicate that in 1999, there were eight powdered cocaine seizures and two crack cocaine seizures along Oklahoma highways. In 2000 there were 23 powdered cocaine seizures and 2 crack cocaine seizures. The total amount of cocaine seized as part of Operation Pipeline in 1999 was 162.8 kilograms, compared with 463.8 in 2000.

On March 2, 2002, law enforcement personnel seized 5.9 kilograms of cocaine from behind the front seat and dashboard of a four wheel drive vehicle traveling eastbound on I-40. The shipment was destined for Langston, Oklahoma.

Source: EPIC, Operations Pipeline and Convoy.

On July 25, 2001, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol seized 827 pounds of cocaine in what is believed to be the state's largest cocaine seizure. The cocaine was seized from a motor home that was traveling eastbound on I-40 near Elk City in Beckham County. Eighteen boxes containing a total of 349 packages of cocaine were concealed in secret compartments of the vehicle. Some of the packages were double-wrapped in plastic and smeared with axle grease. The cocaine had an estimated street value of $50 million. This drug shipment, which had originated in Tijuana, Mexico, was destined for Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Source: The Oklahoman, 26 July 2001.

In November 2000 the Oklahoma Highway Patrol seized 10 kilograms of cocaine from four individuals traveling eastbound on I-40 in Creek County. The individuals were en route to St. Louis, Missouri, from McAllen, Texas. The cocaine was found in a compartment behind the rear seat of the vehicle.

Source: DEA Dallas Division.

In November 2000 the Oklahoma Highway Patrol seized 10 kilograms of cocaine from two males traveling eastbound on I-40 in Canadian County. The individuals were en route to Birmingham, Alabama, from Los Angeles, California. The cocaine was found behind the vehicle's firewall.

Source: DEA Dallas Division.

Interdictions involving buses and aircraft in Oklahoma have yielded nominal amounts of cocaine. From 1996 through 1999 over 51 pounds of cocaine were seized on the one major bus line operating in the state. Interdictions involving cocaine transported on aircraft in Oklahoma yielded approximately 20 pounds of cocaine during the same period.

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Distribution

Mexican DTOs and Mexican criminal groups are the primary wholesale distributors of powdered cocaine in Oklahoma. They typically supply powdered cocaine to midlevel and retail distributors including other Mexican criminal groups, African American criminal groups, Hispanic and African American street gangs, and independent dealers. Mexican criminal groups and Hispanic street gangs such as South Side Locos and Juaritos (a gang with connections to Juarez, Mexico) distribute powdered cocaine at the retail level in the Oklahoma City area. In the Panhandle cocaine distribution activities are concentrated in Guymon. Mexican criminal groups and Mexican independent dealers control all levels of cocaine distribution in that area.

In May 2001, authorities in Altus arrested 32 members of a crack distribution ring. According to law enforcement officials, the ring transported cocaine to the Altus area from Texas and California.

Source: District 3 Drug Task Force.

African American criminal groups and African American and Hispanic street gangs distribute crack cocaine at the retail level. Crack cocaine typically is converted locally; however, some distributors also purchase the drug from suppliers in Texas. Crack cocaine distribution occurs more frequently in the eastern portion of Oklahoma City where several public housing developments are located. In Oklahoma City African American street gangs, such as Bloods and Crips, and Hispanic street gangs, such as South Side Locos and Juaritos, are the primary retail distributors of crack cocaine. Bloods and Crips also distribute crack cocaine in the Tulsa area. African American independent dealers, some of whom have gang affiliations, control crack cocaine distribution in Enid.

In April 2001, members of an organized crime task force in Tulsa arrested 10 individuals on cocaine distribution charges. According to authorities, these individuals conspired to bring multikilogram quantities of cocaine into the Tulsa area for distribution.

Source: DEA; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Tulsa Police Department.

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