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Drug Situation: Cocaine is the primary drug of choice in Rhode Island. The purity levels of cocaine available in Rhode Island generally range between 50% -90% pure, depending on the quantity purchased. Cocaine traffickers in Rhode Island also service customers in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. Traffickers utilize Rhode Island as a transshipment point for distribution throughout New England.

Cocaine: Cocaine continues to be readily available throughout Rhode Island. The cocaine is transported from South America through Southwest Border States via commercial airlines and motor vehicles with sophisticated hidden hydraulic compartments. Cocaine is also brought to New England from the Mexican border, hidden within shipments of legitimate goods being transported by tractor-trailer. Much of the cocaine HCl is converted into crack cocaine for sale at the retail level. Cocaine is distributed primarily by Colombian and Dominican traffickers. The majority of the cocaine purchased in Rhode Island is transported in by local suppliers who travel to New York and return to distribute the product. Kilograms quantities of cocaine have had purity levels as high as 90% in 2007.

Heroin: Heroin is widely available in Rhode Island and can be purchased in nearly every town and city. Heroin seized in Rhode Island ranges from 34% - 49% pure, depending on the quantity. Most of the heroin in Rhode Island is Colombian heroin, however in 2007 the Providence Resident Office seized black tar heroin for the first time. Dominican, Colombian, and Puerto Rican traffickers continue to dominate the heroin trafficking market in Rhode Island. The Dominican traffickers network the most among the various ethnic groups and they control the street level distribution of heroin. Heroin is typically transported by courier to Providence via airplane, train, and automobile for distribution. Heroin is sold at the retail level in bags, bundles, browns, and bricks. The Providence RO has seen heroin being packaged in cut off plastic bags containing 10 doses of heroin instead of folded glassine packets. Heroin organizations have utilized this form of packaging in the past. Traffickers are packaging heroin this way because it is easier to conceal and if they are apprehended they are less likely to be charged with possession with intent to distribute. Kilogram quantities of heroin are available in Rhode Island.

Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is rarely seen in Rhode Island. The methamphetamine that is seen in Rhode Island is “crystal meth” and is typically seen in the gay communities.

Club Drugs: The state of Rhode Island continues to see “club drugs,” such as MDMA and GHB. MDMA is found in various nightclubs located in Providence, RI and at rave parties throughout the state. The majority of the MDMA seen in Rhode Island comes from Canada, New York, and Boston, MA.

Marijuana: The trend in Rhode Island supports a widespread and readily available market of fairly large amounts of marijuana. Prices of marijuana will vary seasonally as the supply fluctuates. The marijuana available in Rhode Island is mostly Mexican, however it is supplemented by limited amounts of other foreign based and domestic marijuana. The majority of the marijuana is imported from the southwest border via parcel carriers and couriers on commercial airlines. Hydroponically produced marijuana is also available in Rhode Island. A majority of the “hydro” marijuana is transported into Rhode Island via tractor trailers and is sold for $3500 - $5000 per pound. Canada is the major source of supply for this type of marijuana in Rhode Island.

Other Drugs: The most popular pharmaceutical substance abused in Rhode Island is OxyContin. Much of the diversion is through fraudulent prescriptions, doctor shopping, pharmacy break-ins, and hospital thefts. OxyContin is being sold for approximately $1.00 per milligram.

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. Since the inception of the MET Program, a total of 436 deployments have been completed nationwide, resulting in 18,318 arrests. There have been two MET deployments in the State of Rhode Island since the inception of the program: Pawtucket and Providence.

DEA Regional Enforcement Teams: This program was designed to augment existing DEA division resources by targeting drug organizations operating in the United States where there is a lack of sufficient local drug law enforcement. This program was conceived in 1999 in response to the threat posed by drug trafficking organizations that have established networks of cells to conduct drug trafficking operations in smaller, non-traditional trafficking locations in the United States. As of January 31, 2005, there have been 27 deployments nationwide, and one deployment in the U.S. Virgin Islands, resulting in 671 arrests. There have been no RET deployments in the State of Rhode Island.

Other Enforcement Operations: Drug traffickers operating in Rhode Island exploit every possible avenue to smuggle drugs into the state. Route 95 links Rhode Island with New York, Bridgeport, and Boston and is essential for the state’s industries and residents as well as drug traffickers and money launderers. More than 5,000 miles of intrastate roads are traveled in Rhode Island. The Providence Resident Office has observed every major highway, airline carrier, postal service and port of entry being exploited in order to infiltrate drugs into the state.

Drug Courts/Treatment Centers: There are currently two drug courts operating in the state of Rhode Island. According to the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, there are currently 58 drug and alcohol treatment centers operating in the state of Rhode Island.

Special Topics: There are currently two drug treatment courts operating in the state of Rhode Island. According to the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, there are currently 58 drug and alcohol treatment centers operating in the state of Rhode Island

More information about the New England Division Office.

Sources

Factsheet last updated: 3/2008

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