Cocaine

Cocaine, both powdered and crack, poses a significant drug threat to Massachusetts. The number of treatment admissions for cocaine abuse is higher than the number of treatment admissions for any other illicit drug except heroin. According to TEDS data, there were 4,334 powdered and crack cocaine-related admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities in the state in 2001, a 14 percent decrease from 5,017 in 2000. (See Table 1 in Heroin section.) DAWN data indicate that cocaine ED mentions in the Boston metropolitan area increased from 4,099 in 2000 to 4,933 in 2001, and preliminary estimates indicate that there were 2,524 mentions from January through June 2002. There were more mentions for cocaine than for any other illicit substance in 2000, 2001, and the first 6 months of 2002. The rate of cocaine ED mentions per 100,000 population in the Boston metropolitan area (138) was significantly higher than the rate nationwide (76) in 2001. (See Table 2 in Heroin section.) Cocaine also is a factor in a significant number of deaths in the Boston metropolitan area. DAWN mortality data indicate that cocaine-related deaths accounted for 132 of the 374 drug deaths in the Boston metropolitan area in 2001. Of the 132 cocaine-related deaths, 80 occurred in Middlesex and Suffolk Counties. The percentage of Massachusetts residents aged 12 and older who reported having abused cocaine at least once in their lifetime (2.1%) was statistically comparable to the percentage nationwide (1.6%), according to the 1999 and 2000 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA).

Cocaine is readily available throughout Massachusetts. According to FDSS data, federal law enforcement officials in Massachusetts seized 29.9 kilograms of cocaine in 2002. USSC data indicate that the percentage of drug-related federal sentences in Massachusetts that were cocaine-related (56.7%) was higher than the national percentage (42.5%) in FY2001. (See Table 3 in Heroin section.) Powdered cocaine available in the state sold for $24,000 to $32,000 per kilogram, $800 to $1,200 per ounce, and $50 to $100 per gram in the first quarter of FY2003, according to the DEA Boston Division. Crack sold for $850 to $1,600 per ounce and $10 to $50 per rock during that same period.

Dominican and Colombian criminal groups are the primary transporters of cocaine into Massachusetts. Other Hispanic, Caucasian, and Asian criminal groups and local crews, as well as local independent dealers of various ethnic backgrounds also transport cocaine into the state, although to a lesser extent. Cocaine available in the state primarily is obtained in New York City and transported via private and commercial vehicles. Package delivery services as well as couriers aboard commercial aircraft, buses, and passenger rail services also are used to transport cocaine into Massachusetts, although to a lesser extent.

Dominican and Colombian criminal groups are the primary wholesale-level distributors of powdered cocaine in Massachusetts. African American, Asian, Caucasian, and Puerto Rican criminal groups also distribute wholesale quantities of powdered cocaine, although to a lesser extent. Dominican criminal groups are the primary retail-level distributors of powdered cocaine in Massachusetts, while African American criminal groups and crews are the primary retail-level distributors of crack. Hispanic criminal groups and crews as well as local independent dealers of various ethnic backgrounds also distribute retail quantities of powdered and crack cocaine. Cocaine primarily is distributed from private vehicles at public parking areas at malls, restaurants, and shopping centers. Cocaine also is distributed from private residences to a lesser extent. Cocaine seldom is distributed at open-air drug markets because of law enforcement pressure. Powdered and crack cocaine sold at the retail level often is packaged in plastic bags with the ends tied into knots. Crack cocaine also is packaged in glass or plastic vials.

Cocaine, particularly crack, is the drug most often associated with violent crime in Massachusetts. According to law enforcement officials, retail-level crack distributors in urban areas often commit violent acts to protect turf. 

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