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 Pacific Northwest. Methamphetamine trafficking and abuse are the primary drug threats in Utah.

Cocaine: Cocaine is encountered throughout Utah. Mexican organizations tend to dominate large-scale cocaine distribution, although several other groups are capable of distributing kilogram quantities. In recent years, purity levels for gram quantities of cocaine purchased in Utah have declined slightly, but prices have remained stable. Crack cocaine is available in ounce quantities, though it is confined primarily to larger cities.

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 distributed in major cities. Mexico and Southern California are the source areas for multi-ounce and pound quantities of heroin. Mexican organizations trafficking in heroin also distribute cocaine and methamphetamine. Street-level distribution organizations are typically run by a dispatcher who directs runners to deliver to customers in public areas such as parking lots. Prices and purity levels for gram-level heroin purchases in Utah have remained relatively stable in the last two years.

Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is the primary drug threat throughout Utah. Mexican poly-drug trafficking organizations dominate the distribution of methamphetamine, most of which is produced in Mexico and southern California. Purity levels for small quantities of methamphetamine purchased in Utah peaked earlier in the decade and have declined since that time.

Over the past several years, the number of methamphetamine labs seized in Utah has declined. This decline is attributed to a number of factors, including strict precursor legislation (that was passed by the Utah Legislature in 2000), community awareness and education campaigns, and 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.

Club Drugs: MDMA and GHB are a problem along the Wasatch Front. They are available through bars, dance clubs, private parties, and, in rare cases, home manufacture. MDMA distribution in Utah is controlled by structured organizations with domestic sources of supply in the southwestern United States.

Marijuana: The majority of marijuana encountered in Utah is of Mexican origin. However, marijuana is also grown on public lands in the state, which are conducive for growing operations due to the fertile soil and inaccessibility, and in indoor grow operations. One recent investigation focused on an organization with sophisticated indoor grow techniques. This investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,100 marijuana plants, along with growing equipment, such as grow lights, fertilizer, watering systems, and chemicals. Also, the importation of marijuana from British Columbia, Canada, remains active in Utah.

Pharmaceutical 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.

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, 473 deployments have been completed nationwide, resulting in 19,643 arrests. There have been two MET deployments in the State of Utah since the inception of the program, in Salt Lake City and Midvale.

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 Utah.

Special Topics: The State of Utah participates in the Rocky Mountain HIDTA, which is based in Denver, Colorado. The DEA Metro Narcotics Task Force receives funding from HIDTA. In mid-2001, a HIDTA Investigative Support Center (ISC) was established in Utah and co-located with the DEA Salt Lake City District Office. The ISC supports drug task forces throughout the state.

More information about the Denver Division Office.

Sources

Factsheet last updated: 6/2007