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Drug Situation: Due to California's diverse
culture and unique geography, there are many issues that affect the drug
situation in California. Drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and
marijuana are smuggled into the state from Mexico; however, methamphetamine and
marijuana are also produced or cultivated in large quantities within the state.
San Diego remains a principal transshipment zone for a variety of drugs -
particularly cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine - smuggled from Mexico.
Most drug traffickers/organizations that are encountered by investigators
continue to be polydrug traffickers rather than specializing in one type of
drug. Methamphetamine and marijuana continue to be the drugs of choice in the
San Diego and Imperial County area. Traffickers are looking for alternate
routes to smuggle narcotics into the country since a great emphasis is still
being placed on screening people and vehicles upon entering the U.S. from
Mexico at San Ysidro, CA. There is an increase in narcotics trafficking in the
East County of San Diego, as well as in Imperial County. Law enforcement
agencies in the Imperial Valley reported a steady increase in drug seizures
compared with last quarter. With security more relaxed since Sept. 11, 2001,
drug traffickers appear to be returning to business as usual. Calexico's West
Port of Entry, located in downtown Calexico, experienced the greatest number of
drug seizures of the three border crossing points in Imperial County. This
increase coincides with greater air smuggling activity observed along the
Southwest Border. |
