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Cocaine: Cocaine and crack cocaine are readily
available. Crack cocaine is largely limited to inner city areas. Cocaine is
consumed in the state, and smuggled into Canada for redistribution, where it
commands a higher price than in the United States. According to a recent Royal
Canadian Mounted Police report, up to 24 tons of cocaine enter Canada each
year.
Heroin: Mexican black tar and brown heroin are the
primary types of heroin found throughout Washington. Mexican poly-drug
trafficking organizations remain the primary source of black tar heroin in
Washington. Heroin is smuggled from Mexico to Washington by a variety of
methods, including vehicles equipped with concealed compartments.
Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is one of the most
widely abused controlled substances in Washington. Two "varieties" are
generally encountered; Mexican methamphetamine, which is either manufactured
locally or obtained from sources in Mexico, California, or other Southwest
Border States, and methamphetamine which is produced locally by area violators.
Of the two types, Mexican methamphetamine continues to flood the market.
Methamphetamine is available in multi-kilogram amounts throughout the state.
Canadian pseudoephedrine, utilized in the manufacture of methamphetamine, is
frequently seized at clandestine laboratory sites.
Predatory Drugs: MDMA (Ecstasy) is smuggled into the
state from elsewhere in the country, Canada, and Europe. Club drugs are growing
in popularity across the state, and have been targeted in several successful
investigations by the DEA. Smuggling methods have included MDMA shipped in
express mail packages, concealed in lumber, hidden compartments in vehicles,
and transported in luggage on international or domestic flights.
Marijuana: Marijuana is readily available in multi-pound
quantities throughout the state. Three types are normally encountered: locally
grown (either from indoor or outdoor grow operations), Canadian BC Bud, and
Mexican marijuana. Of these varieties, locally grown sinsemilla and BC Bud are
preferred, because they have a far superior THC content than Mexican grown
marijuana. Canadian BC Bud is the most prevalent variety in many areas, given
the proximity to the border and the extent of cross border smuggling.
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