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U.S. Department of Justice
National Drug Intelligence Center
Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA Market Analysis 2010
April 2010
Mexican DTOs are increasing their involvement in wholesale drug distribution in the region, particularly the sale of cocaine and SA heroin. They distribute most of the commercial-grade marijuana in the region and significant quantities of powder and ice methamphetamine. Mexican DTOs also supply most midlevel and retail-level distributors in the region. They often use stash locations in the region to store illicit drugs prior to distribution.
Dominican DTOs based in the PC HIDTA region also supply midlevel and retail-level distributors in the region. They supply cocaine and heroin to smaller cities in eastern Pennsylvania, such as Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and Reading, and suburban and rural areas, such as Hazelton, Sunbury, and the Pocono Mountains area.
Other DTOs, criminal groups, gangs, and independent dealers of various nationalities and races distribute illicit drugs at the wholesale and retail level in the PC HIDTA region. (See Table 2.)
Table 2. Drug Distribution Activities in the Philadelphia/Camden HIDTA, 2009
| Group | Wholesale Distribution | Retail Distribution | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Level | Midlevel | ||
| African American | Powder cocaine and marijuana | Powder cocaine, crack, heroin, and marijuana | Powder cocaine, crack, heroin, and marijuana |
| Asian | Marijuana and MDMA | Marijuana, MDMA, and ice methamphetamine | Marijuana, MDMA, and ice methamphetamine |
| Caucasian | Powder cocaine, marijuana, and diverted pharmaceuticals | Powder cocaine, crack, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, MDMA, and diverted pharmaceuticals | Powder cocaine, crack, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, MDMA, and diverted pharmaceuticals |
| Colombian | Powder cocaine and heroin | None | None |
| Dominican | Powder cocaine and heroin | Powder cocaine, crack, heroin, marijuana, ice methamphetamine, and MDMA | Powder cocaine, crack, heroin, marijuana, ice methamphetamine, and MDMA |
| Jamaican | Powder cocaine and marijuana | Powder cocaine, crack, and marijuana | Powder cocaine, crack, and marijuana |
| Mexican | Powder cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and powder and ice methamphetamine | Powder cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and powder and ice methamphetamine | Powder cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and powder and ice methamphetamine |
| Puerto Rican | Powder cocaine and heroin | Powder cocaine, crack, and heroin | Powder cocaine, crack, heroin, and marijuana |
| Street gangs | None | Powder cocaine, crack, heroin, marijuana, and PCP | Powder cocaine, crack, heroin, marijuana, ice methamphetamine, MDMA, PCP, and diverted pharmaceuticals |
| Outlaw motorcycle gangs | None | Cocaine and methamphetamine | Cocaine, heroin, marijuana, MDMA, methamphetamine, and diverted pharmaceuticals |
Source: Philadelphia/Camden High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
Drug-related violent crimes and property crimes often occur within the HIDTA region as distributors, particularly street gang members, protect their distribution operations and abusers seek funds to sustain their addictions. Law enforcement officials in Camden County report that territorial violence is increasing among street gangs in their jurisdiction and that the majority of homicides in the county occur in areas with high levels of street gang activity and drug (primarily crack) distribution. Law enforcement officials in Philadelphia report that drug-related violence in the city sometimes occurs between dealers and customers. NDTS 2010 data indicate that 17 of the 27 law enforcement agency respondents in the PC HIDTA region identify crack cocaine as the drug that most contributes to violent crime in their jurisdictions, and 13 of the 27 identify heroin as the drug that most contributes to property crime.
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