• The State of Utah is a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area(HIDTA).
• In 2008 the Utah Deptartment of Public Health reported 1,843 drug and alcohol induced deaths.
(This excludes injury, homicides or other causes indirectly related to drugs or alcohol.)
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Utah State Facts
Population: 2,469,585
State Prison Population: 5,989
Probation Population: 10,244
Violent Crime Rate
National Ranking: 43 |
2008 Utah Federal Drug Seizures
Cocaine: 61.8 kgs.
Heroin: 4.1 kgs.
Methamphetamine: 21.5 kgs.
Marijuana: 32,275.5 kgs.
Hashish: 0.0 kgs.
MDMA: 0.0 kgs./3,128 du
Meth
Lab Incidents: 7
(DEA, state, and local) |
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DEA
Offices & Telephone Nos.
Salt Lake City—801-524-4156
St. George—435-673-6255 |
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Utah Drug Situation:
Mexican poly-drug trafficking organizations dominate all facets of illegal narcotics distribution throughout Utah. Sources of supply for methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana are primarily located in Mexico, California, the Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest.
Utah Cocaine:
Kilogram quantities of cocaine are available throughout Utah. Mexican organizations tend to dominate large-scale cocaine distribution, although several other groups are capable of distributing kilogram quantities. Prices for cocaine powder remain stable. Crack cocaine is available in limited quantities. Conversion of powder cocaine into crack takes place at the local level.
Utah Heroin:
Heroin is a serious problem in Utah. Mexican brown and black tar heroin are available throughout the state, with multi-ounce and larger quantities primarily distributed in the major cities. Most Mexican heroin distribution organizations employ “runners” who deliver heroin-filled balloons to their customers in parking lots throughout Salt Lake, Davis, and Utah Counties. Mexico and Southern California are the source areas for multi-ounce and pound quantities of heroin. Most Mexican organizations trafficking in heroin also distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.
Utah Methamphetemines:
For the past several years, seizures of methamphetamine labs have declined substantially in Utah. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2007, only 9 labs and/or dumpsites were seized in the entire state. This is the lowest number seized in recent memory and a far cry from the peak of 272 in FY 1999. This decline is attributed to a number of factors, including strict precursor legislation, community awareness and education campaigns, as well as aggressive law enforcement efforts. Currently, most labs discovered in Utah are small, as measured by the amount of product made per cook, and rudimentary. Most are mobile labs that use the “red, white, and blue” method of manufacture.
The dramatic reduction in locally produced methamphetamine has been accompanied by an increase in the availability of Mexican methamphetamine. Debriefings of former methamphetamine cooks suggest that purchasing Mexican methamphetamine is now far easier and cheaper than acquiring the chemicals and the secure location needed to manufacture it.
Mexican poly-drug trafficking organizations dominate the distribution of methamphetamine, most of which is produced in Mexico, southern California, or the Southwest. The methamphetamine supplied by these organizations has increased price in the last year. In several recent investigations, traffickers charged $1,100 per ounce of methamphetamine, as compared to as little as $650-$700 per ounce in late 2005.
Utah Marijuana:
The majority of marijuana encountered in Utah is of Mexican origin. Marijuana is also grown in the remote areas of the state, which are most conducive for growing operations due to the fertile soil. Also, the importation of marijuana from British Columbia, Canada, remains active in Utah.
Utah Pharmacuetical Diversion:
Current investigations indicate that diversion of OxyContin® continues to be a problem in Utah. Primary methods of diversion being reported are illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, “doctor shopping” (going to a number of doctors to obtain prescriptions for a controlled pharmaceutical), forged prescriptions, and employee theft. Diazepam, meperidine, and methadone were also identified as being among the most commonly abused and diverted pharmaceuticals in Utah.
Utah Club Drugs:
MDMA and other designer drugs are a problem along the Wasatch Front. They are available primarily through bars, clubs, and private parties, as well as “rave” dances. Distribution of MDMA and other designer drugs in Utah is controlled by local criminal organizations with domestic sources of supply primarily located in California. Local organizations typically acquire multi-thousand pill quantities of MDMA tablets. One local dealer reportedly charged $6.00-$7.50 per tablet and made approximately 50 cents profit per pill. At the user level, prices rise to $10-$25 per pill.
