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Drug Situation: The illegal drug threat in
Louisiana is the widespread availability and abuse of major drugs such as
cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin, along with its homegrown marijuana and the
increasing danger of local manufacture of methamphetamine and designer drugs.
Conventional drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana comprise the
bulk of drugs shipped through and arriving in the Louisiana. Overland
transportation utilizing private and commercial vehicles continues to be the
most commonly encountered smuggling method in Louisiana. Elevated security due
to the September 11th tragedy has deterred transportation of most drugs via
commercial air travel. Colombian, Mexican and Caribbean traffickers traveling
to and from Miami, Houston, or the Southwest Border via I-10, I-12, I-20 (East
/ West routes) and Interstate 55 (North / South route) are largely responsible
for the transportation and distribution of cocaine, crack, methamphetamine and
marijuana into Louisiana. Additionally, regional and local DTOs ensure
widespread availability throughout the state. Regional DTOs have also made
significant inroads into the distribution of imported designer drugs such as
MDMA and GHB, particularly near larger metropolitan areas of Louisiana where
college populations are heavy. Various pharmaceuticals such as OxyContin have
penetrated the illicit drug market at an alarming rate and in some areas
accounts for more deaths than any other pharmaceutical drug. |
