COM 0314.077 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATEWIDE NARCOTICS TASK FORCE -HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT PART II DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT A. PROBLEM The increasing amount of narcotics being trafficked into and within the County and State of Hawaii, as well as the cultivation and distribution of Marijuana destined for transshipment to the U.S. mainland continues to be a major problem in the State of Hawaii. The supply of Marijuana remains constant as growers have developed new methods of avoiding detection of their outdoor marijuana patches as well as incorporating indoor marijuana cultivation. "Hawaiian" marijuana continues to be both domestically and internationally known for its potency and high grade quality, and the price of "Hawaiian" marijuana remains at a premium cost as a result; therefore the profitability of this illegal trade remains very high. Cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, amphetamine and heroin have increased in demand and supply in the County of Hawaii, as well as throughout the state. The increase in the supply of these drugs have been coupled with increased purity allowing for those involved in its importation to further increase their profit margins. These "Hard" drugs are neither locally found nor produced, and instead, are imported into the state via air, postal, and marine transport. It is well documented that illicit drugs are predominantly transported via commercial and private air transportation, as well as federal and private mail couriers. The sheer colume of arriving visitors to Hawaii lends itself to creating increased opportunities for drug traffickers to utilize commercial airlines and the airports to further their drug smuggling enterprises. The influz of certain Mexican Nationals to the State of Hawaii for the purpose of setting up an organization to distribute "Hard" drugs is well-documented. This began with an organization of individuals who were purported to be members of the infamous "Mexican mafia" arriving in Hawaii for the purpose of distributing "Black Tar" Heroin. Through utilization of techniques honed in the State of California, the organization has managed to minimize the impact, of some of its dealers' arrests, to lead higher up the organization's chain. Initially, the organization was solely involved in "Black Tar" Heroin importation/distribution, however, within the last year, they have eapanded into cocaine and low-grade methamphetamine. This organization is very established and well organized and have set up similar operations throughout the State of Hawaii.