Cocaine:Cocaine, while available in North Dakota, does not pose a significant threat. The DEA Fargo office seized 2 kilograms of cocaine in 2002. Methamphetamine, often called the "poor man's cocaine", rivals cocaine as the stimulant drug of choice. Prices for cocaine range from $100 to $120 per gram. Mexican drug trafficking organizations dominate the distribution of cocaine. Crack cocaine availability is very limited in North Dakota. While gangs have attempted to gain a foothold in the cocaine/crack cocaine market, aggressive law enforcement efforts during the past two years have virtually eliminated large-scale, organized gangs.

Heroin: Heroin distribution and use have not been a significant problem in North Dakota. Heroin trafficking is a low priority for law enforcement agencies in the state. Virtually all of the heroin encountered in North Dakota, mainly in Fargo, is black tar heroin from Mexico. No heroin was seized in 2002.

Methamphetamine: The methamphetamine threat in North Dakota is a two-pronged problem. First, quantities of meth produced by Mexican organizations based in California and Washington are transported into and distributed throughout the state. Second, meth is increasingly being produced in small laboratories, capable of producing only a few ounces at a time. Because of the extreme rural nature of the state, as well as the state's dependence on the agriculture industry, there is a high level of use and availability of anhydrous ammonia among the state's legitimate agricultural community. Farmers use "nurse tanks" to apply anhydrous ammonia in their fields. This has resulted in increased thefts of anhydrous ammonia-commonly used in the "Birch" meth manufacturing method. A DEA investigation in Grand Forks, North Dakota, resulted in the arrest of two Mexican nationals and the seizure of over ten pounds of meth. A co-conspirator in the same case was arrested for attempted murder of a police officer and possession of over seven pounds of meth. Another meth case resulted in the arrest of two suspects and the seizure of 10 assault rifles and $10,000 in cash. According to the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), the number of meth laboratories seized by the DEA and state and local law enforcement agencies has increased sharply over the past few years. Moreover, these law enforcement agencies reported 207 methamphetamine-related incidents involving dumpsites or seizures of glassware and chemicals during CY 2002, compared to 86 in CY 2001, an increase of over 150 percent.

Club Drugs:There have been indications that “Club Drugs” are making their way into the Fargo area in small quantities.

Marijuana: Marijuana is one of the primary drugs of choice in North Dakota. Distribution of marijuana is dominated by Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations that manage the transportation of the drug from Mexico to North Dakota. These organizations utilize tractor-trailers-many of which have sophisticated traps installed-to transport the marijuana from the Southwest Border. DEA Fargo Resident Office investigations reveal that marijuana is increasingly available from local cultivators in addition to the supplies emanating from the Southwest Border. Local cultivation of marijuana is relatively small scale. In 2002, DEA's Domestic Eradication/Suppression Program reported that a total of 3,880 marijuana plants were eradicated in North Dakota. Ditch weed, initially grown for the hemp used to produce rope during World War II, is abundant in the southeastern part of North Dakota. Last year over three million ditch weed plants were eradicated.

Other Drugs: There is no significant diversion of legitimate drugs to report.