| State
Facts Population: 1,429,096 State Prison Population: 6,375 Probation Population: 44,580 Violent Crime Rate National Ranking: 41 |
2006
Federal Drug Seizures Cocaine: 0.7 kgs. Heroin: 0.0 kgs. Methamphetamine: 6.0 kgs. Marijuana: 188.0 kgs. Hashish: 0.0 kgs. MDMA: 0.0 kgs /6 du Meth Lab Incidents: 16 (DEA, state, and local) |
Drug Situation: : Mexican drug trafficking organizations trafficking in methamphetamine, marijuana, and cocaine are the greatest threat to the state. Crystal methamphetamine is quickly replacing methamphetamine HCl in popularity throughout Idaho. The northern portion of the Idaho panhandle shares a border with Canada and this area has been the subject of seizures of BC Bud marijuana being smuggled from Canada to the United States. Mexican nationals have made inroads into the large scale outdoor production of marijuana on private, state, and federal lands. Cocaine is available in Idaho however crack cocaine is not considered a significant threat. Club drugs are mainly a part of rave parties, with MDMA (street name Ecstasy) being the most available. Drug trafficking organizations in Idaho engage in money laundering, using a variety of methods to legitimize and reposition illicit proceeds.
Cocaine: Cocaine
is readily available throughout Idaho. Mexican drug trafficking organizations
are the predominate groups directing the importation and distribution
of cocaine within Idaho. Crack cocaine is encountered infrequently
and is not considered a major drug threat. Cocaine distributed in Idaho
is obtained by Mexican organizations from sources in Mexico, California,
and other Southwest Border states.
Heroin: Mexican
black tar is the predominate form of heroin available in Idaho, with
brown heroin encountered sporadically. Mexican drug trafficking organizations
are the main groups responsible for the importation and distribution
of heroin in Idaho. Mexican black tar heroin is produced in Mexico
and obtained by organizations from sources in Mexico or other Mexican
drug trafficking organizations in California or other Southwest Border
states.
Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine
is a widely abused drug in Idaho and continues to impact all elements
of society. Idaho has experienced a dramatic decrease in methamphetamine
labs as Mexican organizations turn to methamphetamine produced in Mexico.
This shift from local production to methamphetamine produced in Mexico
is partially attributed to the increased control of precursor chemicals
within Idaho. Throughout the state the popularity of crystal methamphetamine
(aka “ice”) continues to grow, replacing methamphetamine
HCl.
Club
Drugs: Club drugs, particularly MDMA (4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine),
and Ketamine continue to be popular among young adults and most
often are found at rave venues. MDMA encountered for sale in
Idaho is believed to originate in Canada, which is then smuggled
to the United States. AMT (4-bromo-2, 5-methoxy-alphamethyltryptamine),
known as 5-MeO-AMT, has been encountered in Idaho. AMT was most
recently obtained from an Internet source. Other synthetic drugs
such as GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide),
and steroids are available.
Marijuana: Marijuana
is one of the most highly abused drugs in Idaho. Marijuana is produced
locally in indoor growing operations and outdoors on private property
and state and federal forest lands. Large outdoor cultivation plots
are largely controlled by Mexican nationals. Marijuana smuggled from
Mexico and ultimately to Idaho, is also available but is less desirable.
BC Bud marijuana from Canada is not as widely available for sale in
Idaho; however, along the Idaho panhandle area which borders Canada
there have been seizures of BC Bud marijuana attempting to be smuggled
into the United States.
Pharmaceutical Diversion: In the United States, prescription drugs are the second most abused drug by youth. The primary methods of diversion of legitimate pharmaceuticals continues to be illegal dispensing and prescribing by physicians, illegal distribution by pharmacists, prescription forgery, doctor shopping, and drug thefts from pharmacies, nursing homes, and hospitals. Pharmacy burglaries are prevalent throughout the state and Diversion Investigators are also encountering pharmaceuticals that have been purchased via the Internet without a doctor's prescription. The abuse and trafficking of oxycodone (OxyContin®, Percocet, Percodan), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lortab), methadone, and anabolic steroids continues to be a concern.
DEA
Mobile Enforcement Teams: This
cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts
was conceived in 1995 in response to the overwhelming problem of
drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation.
The Seattle MET has assisted law enforcement agencies in the following
Idaho cities: Nampa, Caldwell, and Lewiston.
More information about the Seattle Division Office.
Factsheet last updated: 2/2007