Cocaine: Cocaine remains the most popular drug in New Jersey and is the drug of choice for many abusers within the state. The state continues to be a major artery for international cocaine trafficking organizations and cocaine arrives in the area directly from South American ports, as well as from Mexico and Southwest Border States via commercial and private vehicles. In the northern part New Jersey, several large-scale Colombian cocaine organizations are using urban and suburban locations in northern and central New Jersey to store hundred kilogram amounts of cocaine. Additionally, numerous New York-based cocaine organizations are also storing large amounts of cocaine in Northern New Jersey as a result of intense law enforcement efforts in New York. In the southern part of the state, Mexican smuggling groups have emerged on the scene.

Crack Cocaine:Crack remains readily available throughout the state and remains the drug of choice in many communities, especially in lower income sections. In some parts of the state, street gangs, such as the Bloods, Crips, Latin Kings and Cash Money Boys control distribution. The drug is more often associated with violent crime in the state than is any other illicit drug. Many of these street gangs have committed assaults, drive-by shootings, and drug-related homicides to protect their turf. Crack ("rock"/"cookie") is normally sold in vials with a color top denoting the controlling organization, or in small plastic baggies.

Heroin: Heroin represents the most significant narcotic problem in New Jersey and accounts for more admissions to state treatment centers than cocaine, marijuana, and all other drugs combined. Colombian heroin dominates the local market and is readily available especially in ounce quantities and below. Heroin from other source countries is also encountered in the state, albeit on a limited basis. The heroin's high purity (among the highest in the nation), low price and accessibility has attracted numerous new users over the last few years, especially among adolescents in suburban areas. During 2002, numerous fatal heroin-related overdoses were recorded throughout the state. In Hunterdon County, which is classified by the Uniform Crime Report as rural, there were at least six fatal heroin overdoses. Overdose information was also received from the Ocean and Morris Counties Prosecutor's Offices. Ocean County reported 54 fatal overdoses, at least 27 of which were attributed to heroin. In Morris County there were at least 15 overdose deaths, with 12 being heroin overdoses. Also in 2002, two heroin mills were discovered in the state. One was in a private residence in Palisades Park and the other in an apartment in Newark.

Methamphetamine:Both powder and crystal methamphetamine (Ice) are available and distributed within the division's area of responsibility. Ice is sent from sources on the West Coast, and distribution is generally confined to certain populations. For example, Ice is popular among Filipinos living in northern and central New Jersey. In April 2002, the Camden Resident Office dismantled an LCN controlled methamphetamine distribution ring and arrested nine suspects. In September 2002, two operational clandestine laboratories were discovered in the northern part of the state within a 24-hour period. One was in East Rutherford and the other in Westfield.

Diverted Pharmaceutical Drugs:New Jersey has one of the highest concentrations of both pharmaceutical and chemical firms in the country. Doctor shopping, prescription forgery and organized script rings remain the prevalent source of diverted legitimate pharmaceutical drugs in the area. Percocet, Percodan, Xanax, Dilaudid, Valium, and Vicodin are the most prevalent diverted pharmaceutical drugs. In the southern part of the state, there has been a rise in the diversion of OxyContin for use by teenagers and young adults. Between January and March 2002, there were three OxyContin overdose deaths in the Camden area. The popularity of OxyContin has resulted in an ancillary problem of increased pharmacy burglaries and pharmaceutical cargo thefts.

Club Drugs: Predatory drugs, such as MDMA, Ketamine, and GHB, continue to grow in popularity. These drugs have moved out of clubs and raves and are now being consumed by teenagers and young adults in the privacy of their own homes. MDMA: The majority of MDMA is smuggled into the area by couriers who conceal the pills in their luggage or on their body. A new trend is internal carrying, which has been traditionally associated with heroin smuggling. Shipments arrive via package delivery services and air cargo shipment. Last year, DTOs that traditionally distributed other illicit narcotics began to dabble in selling MDMA. In Hudson County, Dominican traffickers dealing in MDMA appear to be on the upswing and the drug is appearing in areas traditionally controlled by African Americans, who are also beginning to use it. In Union County, MDMA sales have increased, with Hispanic and Portuguese dealers from Newark and New York City selling in the cities of Kenilworth and Union. GHB: In 2002, GHB was responsible for at least one fatality and several overdoses in Morris County. Additionally, the Newark Division was involved in Operation Webslinger, which targeted the illegal Internet trafficking of "date rape" drugs such as GHB and its derivatives. Six individuals were arrested in New Jersey as part of the investigation.

Marijuana/Hashish:Marijuana is the most widely available and frequently abused illicit drug in the region. Typically, marijuana is transported to the New Jersey area via automobiles, tractor-trailers, vessels, US Postal Service, overnight services, parcel post and commercial air from Southwest Border States. The majority of the marijuana encountered in the state is of Mexican origin, although Jamaican and Canadian marijuana has also been seen, but on a much lesser scale. Most of the marijuana seizures in the state have occurred at Newark Liberty International Airport, where passengers from Southwest Border states attempt to smuggle marijuana usually wrapped in cellophane and placed within luggage. Additionally, bulk packages, normally weighing between 10 - 50 pounds each, arrive daily at parcel/cargo services. Indoor marijuana grows are usually encountered in the southern rural areas of the state, where detection is more difficult. Rural areas of the state provide the opportunity for outdoor grows. Although hashish is rarely encountered in the area, over 565 kilograms were seized in October 2002. The hashish was co-mingled in a shipment of pickles from India that was awaiting pick-up at a storage facility in Kenwilworth. The hashish was hidden in 14 tin containers and packaged in kilogram-sized bricks in silver foil and plastic wrap. The cargo was destined for Detroit.

Other Drugs: Examples of diversion by self-abusers in the medical field who use their employment positions to gain access to blank prescription pads to forge prescriptions continue to be a problem in New Jersey. The majority of controlled substances diverted and distributed illegally include benzodiazepines and opiates, specifically hydrocodone products. In addition, county narcotics task forces are reporting a decline in diversion cases involving OxyContin.