COM 0953.001 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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a t STATEWIDE NARCOTICS TASK FORCE - HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT PART II DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT A. PROBLEM There has been an increase in the use and demand of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, amphetamine, and heroin in the County of Hawaii, as well as throughout the State of Hawaii. As a result, trafficking and importing activities of these illicit drugs have increased. These types of drugs are not locally found or produced and instead are imported into the State via air, postal, and marine transport. It is well documented that the majority of the importers/distributors predominantly utilize commercial and private air transportation, as well as federal and private mail services. The sheer volume 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 "profiling" of drug smugglers is an important technique used by law enforcement to effect interdiction efforts at the airports and courier services. The methods used to smuggle narcotics into, out of, and within the State range from using hand-carried bags, luggage, packages, and personal body carry to the use of hollowed out items wherein the drugs are concealed. These methods continuously change, making law enforcement efforts more difficult. It is therefore necessary to train personnel on a continuous basis, keeping up with the ever-changing trends. The profit to be made in drug trafficking is potentially high; therefore, some of these groups have invested time, money, and effort to set up importing and distribution networks that are very sophisticated and well organized. These networks filter down to the low level "street" dealers, who often deal drugs to support their own habits and who are highly visible to the general public and to the police. There are documented accounts or incidents that have taken place whereby crimes of violence have occurred due to "territorial rights" friction between different organizations. The influx of certain Mexican nationals to Hawaii for the purpose of setting up an organization to distribute "hard" drugs, primarily "black tar" heroin, has been documented. These individuals were purported to be members of the "Mexican Mafia". This organization is well established and very organized and has set up similar operations throughout the State. Although the organizations was initially involved solely in "black tar" heroin importation/distribution, the organization has since expanded into cocaine and low-grade methamphetamine. Due to its potency and high-grade quality, "Hawaii-grown" marijuana continues to be in demand, not only locally, but also in the national and international market. Air, postal, and marine transport are also utilized to transport the marijuana interstate, nationally, and internationally. The amount of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine is substantial. The County of Hawaii drug interdiction statistics for the years 1994 to 1997 are as follows.