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DEA
Offices & Telephone Nos.
Garden City620-275-4373
Kansas City913-825-4100
Topeka785-232-4065
Wichita316-838-2500 |
State Facts
Population: 2,744,687
State Prison Population: 8,966
Probation Population: 14,309
Violent Crime Rate
National Ranking: 24 |
2006
Federal Drug Seizures
Cocaine: 403.0 kgs.
Heroin: 4.6 kgs.
Methamphetamine: 73.8 kgs.
Marijuana: 3,274.3 kgs.
Hashish: 0.0 kgs
MDMA: 0.0 kgs/10,366 du
Meth
Lab Incidents: 165
(DEA, state, and local) |
Drug Situation: The
Kansas City metropolitan area has one of the largest railroad hubs
in the United States, and it sometimes is exploited by drug traffickers.
Kansas City is served by four of the eight Class I railroads (Burlington
Northern and Santa Fe, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern, and
Union Pacific) as well as regional carriers (Gateway Western, I & M
Rail Link, and Missouri and Northern Arkansas). Significant seizures
of drugs and drug proceeds occur at passenger bus and rail terminals
in Kansas City. The Kansas City (MO) Police Department maintains an
Interdiction Section within their Narcotics and Vice Division. The
function of the Interdiction Section is to focus on drug transportation
via commercial bus lines and rail service within the Kansas City (MO)
city limits.
![photo - crack cocaine](crack.jpg) Cocaine: Both
cocaine HCl and crack cocaine are readily available in the Kansas City
Metropolitan area. Cocaine typically comes from sources of supply in
Texas and California that are associated with well-documented Mexican
international distribution organizations. Much of the cocaine is converted
to crack, packaged in plastic bags, and sold in the inner-city areas.
Hispanic traffickers control the wholesale distribution of cocaine,
while many ethnic groups participate in retail level distribution.
The cocaine typically crosses the southwest border in the control of
Mexican transportation organizations. While most cocaine seized in
the Kansas City DO (KCDO) area of responsibility it can be traced to
organizations in Texas, more recent seizures have been tied to Phoenix,
Arizona. The KCDO reports that Kansas City serves as a transshipment
point for cocaine being shipped to Dayton, Ohio, Chicago, Detroit,
New York, and cities in New Jersey. Intelligence information indicates
that drug cash proceeds are often transported back to Mexico via the
same vehicles and compartments used to transport the cocaine.
Heroin: Although
Mexican black tar heroin continues to be the most readily available
type of heroin, there is now a significant presence of white heroin
in the Kansas area and it is said to be “easily available.” Mexican
drug cartels are now involved in the smuggling of white heroin to the
United States. Black tar heroin is typically sold in small plastic
baggies or in gelatin capsules (known locally as buttons) for $10.
Eight to ten capsules weigh a gram and the Mexican heroin is primarily
brought into the area from California, Arizona, Texas and Chicago,
Illinois. White heroin is still believed to enter the St. Louis area
via Chicago, Illinois, although more data is needed. While prices for
white heroin are said to be dropping to record lows, the purity is
higher than normal, with common levels of 35% - 45%. This rise in purity
is reflected in the Domestic Monitor Program (DMP), which includes
all types of heroin.
![Methamphetamine Lab Incidents: 2002=769, 2003=639, 2004=587, 2005=375, 2006=157](kansas_meth2007.gif) According
to the Kansas City DO, locally produced methamphetamine is predominately
manufactured using the Birch method, although the red phosphorous method
is still encountered, particularly within the Kansas City Metropolitan
area. Many Kansas City area laboratory operators continue to obtain
many of the necessary chemicals for methamphetamine production from
out-of-state chemical companies. Local animal health supply stores
are reporting large sales of 7% iodine tincture, a chemical used to
obtain iodine crystals for the production of methamphetamine. Reports
of suspicious purchases of MSM, a dietary supplement intended for horses
but often used as a cutting agent for methamphetamine, continue in
the Kansas City area. Locally produced and imported Mexican methamphetamines
are both available throughout Kansas. Local methamphetamine production
laboratories tend to be small and either mobile or hidden in remote
farm areas. Crystal methamphetamine is predominant throughout Kansas.
Imported Mexican methamphetamine can be found in Dodge City, Garden
City, Liberal, and Topeka, Kansas.
Predatory Drugs: MDMA
remains available in central and southeast Kansas. Rave club attendees,
younger adults, and teenagers in the Wichita Metropolitan area are
the primary users of predatory drugs. Some of the MDMA is believed
to come to the Wichita area through Washington State and Canada. Law
enforcement in western Kansas reports that MDMA is transported to the
area from Denver, Colorado and is distributed by college students and/or
Asian traffickers. The drug is reported to be readily available to
the college-age user.
![photo - marijuana plant](cannabis.jpg) Marijuana: Kansas
City remains a significant staging area for Mexican marijuana shipped
from cities on the southwest border to other parts of the United States.
Mexican traffickers dominate the marijuana market in the Kansas City
area. Indoor cultivations, including hydroponically grown marijuana,
continue to be a concern in the Kansas City area. This marijuana is
in strong demand due to its higher potency. The hydroponic marijuana
commands much higher prices than Mexican marijuana. Marijuana continues
to be readily available throughout the rest of the state of Missouri,
and Interstate 44 continues to be a major conduit for transportation
from the Southwest Border.
Other Drugs: In
2006, LSD continues to have limited availability. But in March 2006,
the U. S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the convictions of two
individuals for their roles in establishing a clandestine LSD laboratory
within a defunct Atlas F missile silo near Wamego, KS. One of the individuals
received a sentence of two life terms, and the second individual received
a sentence of two 30-year terms
Pharmaceutical Diversion: OxyContin
continues to be the pharmaceutical drug of choice in the Kansas area.
It is favored by it’s users over street drugs such as heroin
due to the consistent purity and quality. Kansas lists Oxycodone products
as the third most abused pharmaceutical drug. Hydrocodone is another
pharmaceutical product that is the commonly abused. Other substances
cited include: Alprazolam, Benzodiazepine, Demerol, Dilaudid, Lortab,
Methylphenidate, Morphine, Nubaine, Percocet, Percodan, Phenobarbitol,
Phentermine, Prozac, Tylox, Valium, Vicodin, and Xanax. The most common
methods for obtaining these substances continue to be doctor shopping,
prescription forgeries, pharmacy break-ins, employee theft, and internet
pharmacy websites. Mexican manufactured Fentanyl has not been found
in Kansas at this time.
DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams: MET
had a deployment from August 05, 2005 through March 05, 2006. Another
MET operation will take place in Missouri at the beginning of 2007.
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 Kansas.
Special
Topics:
Operation Pipeline
Kansas City is located near the geographic center of the United States
at the intersection of several of the nation's busiest highways (I-29,
I-35, and I-70), and is a major transit point for the vehicular transportation
of illicit drugs and drug proceeds to and from significant market areas
across the nation. This is one of the most active Operation Pipeline
programs in the country. Great success has been attained in initiating
cases and effecting substantial seizures and arrests which often attack
the highest levels of drug trafficking. Frequently, the Division follows
up on Pipeline seizures and plays a facilitator’s role by conducting
controlled deliveries to other Divisions. As they did last quarter,
they cite load cars with hidden compartments and cars with large amounts
of
mileage in the past six months.
Financial/Money
Laundering
The Kansas City DO reports instances of drug proceeds being exchanged
through local businesses, including casinos, for larger denomination
bills. This reduces the bulk of return cash shipments typically transported
in privately owned vehicles. Both the transportation of bulk cash in
vehicles and the use of wire transfer companies remain popular with
drug trafficking organizations.
More information
about the St. Louis Division Office.
Sources
Factsheet
last updated:
6/2007
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