DEA: 151 Arrested In DEA-Led Investigation Of Synthetic Drug Rings - Rogue Chinese Labs Producing For U.S. And Global Consumption; Proceeds Flow To Middle East Countries

The DEA released the below information:

WASHINGTON, DC – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), along with other federal, state, and local law enforcement today concluded a 15-month, nationwide drug interdiction effort that resulted in 151 arrests in 16 states.  The enforcement action, known as Project Synergy III, targeted the synthetic designer drug industry, including wholesalers, money launderers and other criminal facilitators.  In addition to curbing the flow of synthetic drugs into the country, Project Synergy III continues to reveal the flow of millions of dollars in U.S. synthetic drug proceeds to countries of concern in the Middle East.

Total cash and assets seized (approximately): $15,013,522.25

Synthetic Cathinones seized:                                      316 kilograms

Synthetic Cannabinoids:                                             3,058 kilograms

Treated plant material:                                                98 kilograms

Synthetic Cannabinoid Packs (filled):                        7,314 kilograms

Weapons:                                                                    39

Arrests:                                                                        151

Search Warrants:                                                         69

“This poison ruins and takes too many lives; this is incredibly dangerous stuff,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg. “Project Synergy III demonstrates our collective commitment to pursue those who produce and distribute this garbage to our children and I am grateful for the partnership of HSI and CBP on this operation.”

"The availability and illicit marketing of synthetic drugs creates the impression that they are safe and legal, when in fact they are neither," said ICE Director Sarah R. Saldaña. "ICE is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to stop the flow of these highly dangerous drugs into our country. At the same time, we are equally concerned about getting the word out - especially to young people -- about the dangers, and potentially deadly consequences, of using these substances."

“With the alarming growth of these synthetic drugs, CBP’s National Targeting Center, Laboratory and Scientific Services and Office of Field Operations bring expertise and innovative contributions to the U.S. government’s effort to keep these dangerous narcotics off the streets,” said CBP Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. “CBP personnel continue to serve on the frontline, protecting the American public from designer drugs, a highly dangerous and deceptive group of psychoactive substances, specifically designed to skirt around existing drug laws.”

As in previous phases of Project Synergy, CBP’s National Targeting Center played a significant role in the success of this operation.  CBP was responsible for identifying and targeting high-risk express consignment shipments coming into the United States and suspected of containing synthetic drugs.

For the past several years, DEA has identified over 400 new designer drugs in the United States – the vast majority of which are manufactured in rogue labs in China and sold on the Internet and in retail outlets such as smoke shops, gas station convenience stores, and bodegas.  Abuse of these psychoactive substances has resulted in ever-increasing numbers of overdose incidents and deaths.  

Other related interdiction operations preceded this operation.  Most recently in September, federal law enforcement teamed up with HSI, the New York City Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies to target nearly 90 bodegas in New York City who were selling designer synthetic drugs.

Communities, families, and individuals, across the country have experienced the scourge of designer synthetic drugs, which are often marketed as herbal incense, potpourri, bath salts, jewelry cleaner, or plant food.  Synthetic cannabinoids represent the most significant class of designer synthetic drugs.  According to the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), substances identified as synthetic cannabinoids by federal, state, and local forensic laboratories increased from 23 reports in 2009 to 32,784 reports in 2013; to 37,500 reports in 2014.

These dangerous drugs have caused significant abuse, addiction, overdoses, and emergency room visits. Those who have abused synthetic drugs have suffered vomiting, anxiety, agitation, irritability, seizures, hallucinations, tachycardia, elevated blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. They have caused significant organ damage as well as overdose deaths.

The contents and effects of synthetic drugs are unpredictable due to a constantly changing variety of chemicals used in manufacturing processes devoid of quality controls and government regulatory oversight.

Note: You can also read my Counterterrorism magazine piece on DEA operations via the below link:

http://www.pauldavisoncrime.com/2012/05/narco-terrorists-drug-lords-and-death.html  

DEA Announces Tip Line, Wanted Poster For Fugitive Mexican Drug Lord Joaguin "El Chapo" Guzman-Loera

The DEA released the below information:

WASHINGTON, DC – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced today a toll-free tip line where the general public in the United States, Mexico, Central  and South America can report any information that could aid in the apprehension of Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman-Loera, who escaped a Mexican prison in July.

 The tip line will be managed by the DEA San Diego Division. In addition to the tip line, the public can email tips to CHAPOTIPS@USDOJ.GOV. In concert with the launch of the tip line, DEA has also released a wanted poster that contains the number, email address, and the U.S. State Department reward of up to $5 million for the arrest and conviction of Chapo. The poster can be found at DEA.gov. 

 “Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman-Loera has destroyed lives and communities throughout the United States and Mexico and his capture is a high priority for DEA,” said Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg.  “His escape poses a danger to the safety and security of both our countries.  DEA will continue to work closely with our Mexican counterparts and provide as many resources as possible to ensure his arrest.” 

 The tip line number in the United States is (844) 692-4101 and outside the U.S. the number is 001-844-692-4101.

Guzman-Loera was arrested on June 9, 1993, in Mexico on charges related to murder and drug trafficking and was sentenced to a 20 year prison term. However, on January 19, 2001, Guzman-Loera escaped from the federal maximum security prison in Jalisco, Mexico. While on the run from Mexican authorities, Guzman-Loera re-established himself as the top ranking member of the Sinaloa Cartel and leader of the Mexican drug trade, becoming the world’s #1 fugitive and a Forbes-listed billionaire. He was rearrested on February 22, 2014, in a modest resort hotel in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. On July 11, 2015, he again escaped from Altiplano federal maximum security prison in the State of Mexico.

Guzman-Loera was in charge of the Guzman-Loera drug trafficking organization (DTO), which in turn, is part of the larger Sinaloa Cartel. Under the leadership of Guzman-Loera and his partner, Ismael Zambada-Garcia, the Sinaloa Cartel controls vast trafficking operations on an international scale, with the majority of its drugs being distributed to the United States. The Sinaloa Cartel bases its operations principally in the Mexican states of Sinaloa, Sonora, Durango and Baja California, although it also has representation in several other states throughout the Republic. In addition to its distribution cells in the United States, the DTO transports drug shipments to Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa and Asia. Their organization smuggles multi-ton cocaine shipments from South America through Central America into Mexico. They are also involved in the manufacture, transport and distribution of methamphetamine and heroin. Additionally, the organization operates several large scale marijuana plantations in Sinaloa and surrounding areas. The Sinaloa Cartel organization relies on bulk currency shipments to move drug proceeds across the United States-Mexico border.

Guzman-Loera has been charged with drug trafficking and related crimes in several U.S. District Courts, to include the District of Arizona, the Southern District of California, the Western District of Texas, the Northern District of Illinois, the Eastern District of New York, and the Southern District of Florida. The first U.S. indictment against Guzman-Loera was unsealed in San Diego on September 28, 1995, charging him and 22 members of his organization with conspiracy to import over eight tons of cocaine and money laundering.

DEA: New research Reveals The Trends And Risk Factors Behind America's Growing Heroin Epidemic

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released the below information:

JULY 7 - (Washington, D.C.) – 

Heroin use has increased across the United States among men and women, most age groups, and all income levels. The greatest increases have occurred in groups with historically lower rates of heroin use, including women and people with private insurance and higher incomes. In addition, nearly all people who use heroin also use multiple other substances, according to the latest Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The report also finds the strongest risk factor for a heroin use disorder is a prescription opioid use disorder.

As heroin use increases, more people are dying from heroin overdoses. Heroin-involved overdose deaths nearly doubled between 2011 and 2013; more than 8,200 people died in 2013 alone.

“Heroin use is increasing at an alarming rate in many parts of society, driven by both the prescription opioid epidemic and cheaper, more available heroin,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “To reverse this trend we need an all-of-society response – to improve opioid prescribing practices to prevent addiction, expand access to effective treatment for those who are addicted, increase use of naloxone to reverse overdoses, and work with law enforcement partners like DEA to reduce the supply of heroin.”

For this Vital Signs report, FDA and CDC analyzed data from the 2002-2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Vital Statistics System. Heroin trends among demographic and substance-using groups were compared for 2002- 2004, 2005-2007, 2008-2010, and 2011-2013. Characteristics associated with heroin use disorders were identified through multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Key findings include:

 Nearly all (96 percent) people who reported heroin use also reported using at least one other drug in the past year with more than half (61 percent) using at least three other drugs.

 The people most at-risk of heroin abuse or dependence include non-Hispanic whites, men, 18-to-25 year-olds, people with an annual household income less than $20,000, Medicaid recipients, and the uninsured.

 Significant increases in heroin use were found in groups with historically low rates of heroin use, including women and people with private insurance and higher incomes. The gaps between men and women, low and higher incomes, and people with Medicaid and private insurance have narrowed in the past decade.

 People who abuse or are dependent on:

o prescription opioid painkillers are 40 times more likely to abuse or be dependent on heroin.

o cocaine are 15 times more likely to abuse or be dependent on heroin.

o marijuana are 3 times more likely to abuse or be dependent on heroin.

o alcohol are 2 times more likely to abuse or be dependent on heroin.

 As heroin abuse or dependence has increased so has heroin-related overdose deaths. From 2002 through 2013, the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths nearly quadrupled.

“Approximately 120 people die each day in the United States of a drug overdose,” said DEA Acting Administrator Chuck Rosenberg. “The CDC’s Vital Signs illustrates two significant factors partly fueling that alarming number – the misuse of prescription drugs and a related increase in heroin use. We will continue to target the criminal gangs that supply heroin, and we will work to educate folks about the dangers and to reduce demand. In this way, we hope to complement the crucial efforts of the CDC and our nation’s public health agencies.”

These key findings highlight the need for a comprehensive response that addresses the growing number of demographic groups using heroin along with multiple other drugs and should be considered in the development and implementation of prevention policies.

"We are working with federal, state and local partners to increase access to effective treatment, while reducing overdoses and other consequences of the opioid epidemic, including the spread of Hepatitis C and HIV," said Michael Botticelli, director of National Drug Control Policy. "It is not enough to simply reverse overdoses. We must also connect overdose victims and people struggling with prescription drug and heroin use disorders to treatment facilities and doctors that offer medication-assisted treatment."

States play a central role in addressing and helping to reverse the heroin epidemic; states can:

 Address the strongest risk factor for heroin abuse or dependence: abuse or dependence on prescription opioid painkillers.

o Make prescription drug monitoring programs (electronic databases that track the dispensing of certain drugs) timely and easy to use. Providers can analyze patient prescription-drug history and make informed decisions before prescribing opioid painkillers.

o Look at the data and practices of state Medicaid and worker’s compensation programs to identify and reduce inappropriate prescribing.

 Increase access to substance abuse treatment services, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid abuse or dependence.

o Work with Medicaid and other insurance companies to provide coverage for MAT.

o Support adoption of MAT in community settings.

 Expand access to and training for administering naloxone to reduce opioid overdose deaths.

 Ensure that people have access to integrated prevention services, including access to sterile injection equipment from reliable sources, as allowed by local policy.

 Help local jurisdictions to put these effective practices to work in communities where drug abuse or dependence is common.

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell has made addressing opioid abuse, dependence, and overdose a priority and work is underway within HHS on this important issue. The evidence-based initiative focuses on three promising areas: informing opioid prescribing practices, increasing the use of naloxone - a drug that reverses symptoms of a drug overdose, and using medication-assisted treatment to slowly move people out of opioid addiction. The Obama administration is also committed to tackling the prescription drug and heroin epidemic by proposing significant investments to intensify efforts to reduce opioid misuse and abuse.

For more information about prescription drug overdose, please visit www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose.

Vital Signs is a CDC report that appears on the first Tuesday of the month as part of the CDC journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The report provides the latest data and information on key health indicators. These are cancer prevention, obesity, tobacco use, motor vehicle passenger safety, prescription drug overdose, HIV/AIDS, alcohol use, health care-associated infections, cardiovascular health, teen pregnancy, food safety and viral hepatitis.

DEA Congratulates Mexico On Arrest Of Knights Templar Cartel Leader "La Tuta"

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released the below statement:

DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart (seen in the above official DEA photo) today issued the following statement in response to the capture of Knights Templar Cartel Leader Servando Gomez-Martinez, a.k.a. “La Tuta” by the Mexican Federal Police:
 

"The arrest of Servando Gomez-Martinez, a.k.a. "La Tuta," is another win for Mexico in the fight against brutal criminal cartels like the Knights Templar. La Tuta led one of the world's most vicious and violent drug and criminal networks.  He not only headed the drug trafficking activities, but was in charge of all organized crime, including extortion, kidnappings, and murder. We congratulate the  brave members of the Mexican Federal Police for their successful operation and look forward to more successes against global organized crime." 

Note: You can read about Gomez-Martinez via the below link:

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2015/02/27/knights-templar-cartel-leader-la-tuta-captured-in-mexico/

U.S. Offers $5 Million Reward For Information Leading To Arrest An/Or Conviction of Rafael Caro-Quintero

The DEA released the below information:

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today applauded the announcement by the U.S. Department of State of a new reward offering under the Narcotics Reward Program for the arrest and/or conviction of Rafael Caro-Quintero.  The Department is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Caro-Quintero, who kidnapped, tortured and murdered U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena in 1985.

Caro-Quintero had served 28 years of a 40-year prison term for his crimes when a Mexican court ordered his release on August 9, 2013 on procedural grounds.  Caro-Quintero is a fugitive from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on felony murder, felony kidnapping, and a host of other criminal charges.

“We are reminded every day of the ultimate sacrifice paid by DEA Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena and we will vigorously continue our efforts to ensure Rafael Caro-Quintero faces justice for the crimes he committed,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “Caro-Quintero was the organizer and mastermind of this atrocious act and his unexpected release from a Mexican prison was shocking and disturbing to law enforcement professionals on both sides of the border.  The United States Government will utilize every tool available, including the State Department Narcotics Rewards Program, to bring Caro-Quintero to justice.”

The Narcotics Reward Program was established by Congress in 1986 as a tool to assist the U.S. Government in bringing to justice major violators of U.S. narcotics laws responsible for bringing hundreds of tons of illicit drugs into the United States each year.  The program gives the Secretary of State statutory authority to offer rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of named narcotics traffickers.

This announcement also comes on the heels of Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s largest drug prevention effort. Red Ribbon Week began after Camarena’s death in 1985 and is celebrated nationally each October, with local communities and school districts holding events throughout the month.

The Red Ribbon Campaign is dedicated to helping to preserve Special Agent Camarena's memory and further the cause for which he gave his life, the fight against the violence of drug crime and the misery of addiction. By gathering together in special events and wearing a Red Ribbon during the last week in October, Americans from all walks of life demonstrate their opposition to illegal drugs.  Approximately 80 million people participate in Red Ribbon events every year.

The Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) manages the rewards program in close coordination with the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and other interested U.S. agencies.

For more information on Caro-Quintero visit www.dea.gov.  For additional information on the Narcotics Reward Program, please see http://www.state.gov/j/inl/narc/rewards/index.htm.

Mexican Cartels Flood U.S. With Cheap Meth

 

The Washington Times offers an interesting piece on the Mexican meth that is flooding the U.S.

ST. LOUIS — Mexican drug cartels are quietly filling the void in the nation’s drug market created by the long effort to crack down on American-made methamphetamine, flooding U.S. cities with exceptionally cheap, extraordinarily potent meth from factorylike “superlabs.”

Although Mexican meth is not new to the U.S. drug trade, it now accounts for as much as 80 percent of the meth sold here, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. And it is as much as 90 percent pure, a level that offers users a faster, more intense and longer-lasting high.

“These are sophisticated, high-tech operations in Mexico that are operating with extreme precision,” said Jim Shroba, a DEA agent in St. Louis. “They’re moving it out the door as fast as they can manufacture it.”

You can read the rest of the piece via the below link:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/11/mexican-cartels-flood-us-with-cheap-meth/

Operation Log Jam: The DEA's Nationwide Synthetic Drug Takedown

The DEA released the below information today:

 WASHINGTON – More than 90 individuals were arrested and more than five million packets of finished designer synthetic drugs were seized in the first-ever nationwide law enforcement action against the synthetic designer drug industry responsible for the production and sale of synthetic drugs that are often marketed as bath salts, Spice, incense, or plant food. More than $36 million in cash was also seized.

As of today, more than 4.8 million packets of synthetic cannabinoids (ex. K2, Spice) and the products to produce nearly 13.6 million more, as well as 167,000 packets of synthetic cathinones (ex. bath salts), and the products to produce an additional 392,000 were seized.

Operation Log Jam was conducted jointly by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Criminal Investigations, as well as countless state and local law enforcement members in more than 109 U.S. cities and targeted every level of the synthetic designer drug industry, including retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers.

“Although tremendous progress has been made in legislating and scheduling these dangerous substances, this enforcement action has disrupted the entire illegal industry, from manufacturers to retailers,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart. “Together with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners, we are committed to targeting these new and emerging drugs with every scientific, legislative, and investigative tool at our disposal.”

“Today, we struck a huge blow to the synthetic drug industry. The criminal organizations behind the importation, distribution and selling of these synthetic drugs have scant regard for human life in their reckless pursuit of illicit profits,” said Acting Director of ICE’s Office of Homeland Security Investigations James Chaparro. “ICE is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to bring this industry to its knees.”

"The synthetic drug industry is an emerging area where we can leverage our financial investigative expertise to trace the path of illicit drug proceeds by identifying the financial linkages among the various co-conspirators,” said Richard Weber, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation. "We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt and ultimately dismantle the highest level drug trafficking and drug money laundering organizations that pose the greatest threat to Americans and American interests."

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service aggressively investigates the use of the U.S. Mail system for the distribution of illegal controlled substances and its proceeds. Our agency uses a multi-tiered approach to these crimes: protection against the use of the mail for illegal purposes and enforcement of laws against drug trafficking and money laundering. This includes collaboration with other agencies,” said Chief Postal Inspector Guy J. Cottrell of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

“The mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection is to guard our country’s borders from people and goods that could harm our way of life,” said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Acting Commissioner David V. Aguilar. “We are proud to be part of an operation that disrupts the flow of synthetic drugs into the country and out of the hands of the American people.”

Over the past several years, there has been a growing use of, and interest in, synthetic cathinones (stimulants/hallucinogens) sold under the guise of “bath salts” or “plant food.” Marketed under names such as “Ivory Wave,” “Purple Wave,” “Vanilla Sky,” or “Bliss,” these products are comprised of a class of dangerous substances perceived to mimic cocaine, LSD, MDMA, and/or methamphetamine. Users have reported impaired perception, reduced motor control, disorientation, extreme paranoia, and violent episodes. The long-term physical and psychological effects of use are unknown but potentially severe.

These products have become increasingly popular, particularly among teens and young adults and those who mistakenly believe they can bypass the drug testing protocols that have been set up by employers and government agencies to protect public safety. They are sold at a variety of retail outlets, in head shops, and over the Internet. However, they have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption or for medical use, and there is no oversight of the manufacturing process.

Smokable herbal blends marketed as being “legal” and providing a marijuana-like high have also become increasingly popular, particularly among teens and young adults, because they are easily available and, in many cases, they are more potent and dangerous than marijuana. These products consist of plant material that has been coated with dangerous psychoactive compounds that mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Just as with the synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids are sold at a variety of retail outlets, in head shops and over the Internet. Brands such as “Spice,” “K2,” “Blaze,” and “Red X Dawn” are labeled as incense to mask their intended purpose.

While many of the designer drugs being marketed today that were seized as part of Operation Log Jam are not specifically prohibited in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act of 1986 (AEA) allows these drugs to be treated as controlled substances if they are proven to be chemically and/or pharmacologically similar to a Schedule I or Schedule II controlled substance. A number of cases that are part of Operation Log Jam will be prosecuted federally under this analogue provision, which specifically exists to combat these new and emerging designer drugs.

DEA has used its emergency scheduling authority to combat both synthetic cathinones (the so-called bath salts like Ivory Wave, etc.) and synthetic cannabinoids (the so-called incense products like K2, Spice, etc.), temporarily placing several of these dangerous chemicals into Schedule I of the CSA. Congress has also acted, permanently placing 26 substances into Schedule I of the CSA.

In 2010, poison centers nationwide responded to about 3,200 calls related to synthetic “Spice” and “bath salts.” In 2011, that number jumped to more than 13,000 calls. Sixty percent of the cases involved patients 25 and younger.

Narco Terrorists, Drug Lords And Death Merchants: My Piece On The DEA And Their Fight Against The Deadly Drug Trade

My piece on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) appears in the latest issue of Counterterrorism magazine.

You can read the piece above and below:

Note: You can click on the above and enlarge.

American Heroes In Special Operations: My Q & A With Oliver North

The current issue of Counterterrorism magazine offers my Q&A with retired Marine Lt Colonel Oliver North.

North, a syndicated columnist, author, and host of the television documentary series War Stories on Fox Cable News Network, has written an interesting book called American Heroes in Special Operations.

The book offers incredible true stories about the heroism and bravery of our Green Berets, Navy SEALs, and the other special operators in Afghanistan and Iraq. The book also offers a good assortment of photos of the special operators in action.


You can read my Q&A with North below: