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ARCHIVED Drugs and City Profile Product No. 2003-L0570-001 JUNE 2003 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

New York

Overview Photo NDIC and pose the greatest drug threats to . Marijuana distribution and abuse are stcaFtsaF widespread. MDMA is one of the fastest-growing stnediser872,800,8 drug threats to the city. Other club drugs and diverted stnediser962,049,1 noitalupoP egafosraey81rednu pharmaceuticals pose significantly lesser threats than tnerap-elgnis006,213 most other illicit drugs. The threat sdlohesuoh to New York City is negligible. aeradnaL selimerauqs303 ,xnorB,nylkoorB New York City serves as a national transporta- shguoroB ,nattahnaM,sneeuQ tion hub for many illicit drugs. Most of the cocaine, dnalsInetatSdna heroin, marijuana, and MDMA available in New ,874,592,872,59,78 syawhgihetatsretnI 596dna,876,594 York City are smuggled into the city either directly from drug source countries or indirectly through )KFJ(ydenneK.FnhoJ stropriarojaM aidrauGaLdna transit countries in Latin America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Large quantities of cocaine often are weNfotroPehT stropaesrojaM yesreJweN/kroY transported into New York City overland in com- kartmA:regnessaP mercial and private vehicles. However, significant noitatSainavlysnneP( quantities of cocaine also are smuggled aboard ecivresliaR )buhtsaoCtsaEehtsi maritime vessels and on commercial aircraft from klofroN:thgierF XSCdnanrehtuoS source and transit countries. Couriers aboard royaM grebmoolB.RleahciM commercial aircraft smuggle most of the heroin and MDMA that is available in the city. Marijuana renoissimmoCeciloP ylleK.WdnomyaR typically is transported from southwestern states

This document may contain dated information. It has been made available to provide access to historical materials. ARCHIVED Drugs and Crime City Profile—New York

and Florida in private vehicles and trucks, via Drug Abuse Indicators package delivery services, and by couriers or in The adverse consequences of illicit drug abuse in cargo shipments on commercial aircraft. Pharma- New York City are significant. According to the New ceuticals generally are obtained within the state York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance through diversion techniques including improper Abuse Services (OASAS), there were 134,287 prescribing practices, prescription forgery, and treatment admissions to alcoholism and substance doctor shopping (visiting numerous doctors to abuse treatment facilities in New York City in 2000, obtain multiple prescriptions). the most recent year for which these data are available. Approximately 75 percent of these Colombian, Dominican, and Mexican drug admissions were male. Over 44 percent of the trafficking (DTOs) and criminal admissions were African American; 33 percent groups are the primary transporters of cocaine into were Hispanic; and over 20 percent were Caucasian. New York City. Colombian and Dominican DTOs Nearly 62 percent of the admissions involved and criminal groups are the dominant wholesale- individuals aged 35 or older. Drug Abuse Warning level distributors of powdered cocaine within the Network (DAWN) data indicate that there were city, while Dominican DTOs and criminal groups 52,055 drug-related emergency department (ED) and African American, Jamaican, and Puerto Rican mentions in the New York metropolitan area in criminal groups are the dominant wholesale-level 2001, the most recent data available. The rate of distributors of crack. Colombian DTOs and crimi- drug-related ED mentions (623 per 100,000 nal groups control the transportation of South population) in the New York metropolitan area American heroin into New York City and are the was higher than the national rate (460 per 100,000 dominant wholesale-level distributors. They population) that year. DAWN mortality data indicate increasingly rely on Dominican DTOs and criminal that there were 924 drug deaths in the New York groups and occasionally Mexican criminal groups metropolitan area in 2000, the most recent data to transport South American heroin into the city. available. Of these, 713 were drug-induced (over- Dominican criminal groups are the dominant retail- doses). Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring (ADAM) level distributors of cocaine and heroin. Jamaican Program data indicate that 79.9 percent of adult criminal groups are the most prominent transporters male arrestees in New York City tested positive for as well as wholesale- and retail-level distributors abusing at least one illicit substance in 2000, the of marijuana in New York City; however, no spe- most recent data available. cific or group controls the transporta- tion or distribution of marijuana. Israeli and Rus- Cocaine sian DTOs and criminal groups control the smug- The distribution and abuse of cocaine, both gling of MDMA into the city. These DTOs and powdered and crack, pose the greatest drug threat criminal groups as well as Colombian and Domini- to New York City. More ED mentions, deaths, and can DTOs and criminal groups, Eastern European federal sentences are associated with cocaine than and Asian criminal groups, members of traditional with any other illicit drug. Further, crack cocaine is organized crime, and outlaw motorcycle the drug most often associated with in (OMGs) distribute wholesale quantities of MDMA New York City. in New York City. Various criminal groups and local independent dealers distribute retail quanti- Treatment, ED, mortality, and arrestee data indicate ties of MDMA in the city. Caucasian local indepen- that cocaine commonly is abused in New York City. dent dealers are the primary distributors of LSD, The total number of primary cocaine admissions to GHB and its analogs, , and diverted state-funded and nonfunded treatment programs in pharmaceuticals in New York City. New York City remained high but decreased 12

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percent from 15,913 in 1999 to 14,059 in 2000, kilogram, $613 to $950 per ounce, and $29 to $45 per according to OASAS data. There were 7,212 cocaine gram in New York City in the third quarter of FY2002, admissions in the first half of 2001, the most recent according to the Drug Enforcement Administration OASAS data available. Sixty-five percent of the (DEA) New York Division. DEA also reports that admissions in the first half of 2001 reported smoking crack cocaine sold for $28,000 to $30,000 per kilo- (crack cocaine) as the primary method of administra- gram, $1,000 to $1,500 per ounce, $27 to $45 per tion, while 32 percent reported inhalation (snorting of gram, and $7 to $10 per rock in New York City during powdered cocaine) as the primary method of adminis- that same period. tration. DAWN data indicate that there were 13,898 cocaine ED mentions in the New York metropolitan New York City serves as a national-level transpor- area in 2001, more than for any other illicit drug. The tation hub for significant quantities of cocaine. Colom- rate of cocaine ED mentions per 100,000 population bian, Dominican and, increasingly, Mexican DTOs in the New York metropolitan area (166) exceeded the and criminal groups are the primary transporters of rate per 100,000 population nationwide (76) that year. cocaine into New York City. However, Puerto Rican DAWN mortality data indicate that there were 492 and Jamaican criminal groups also transport cocaine cocaine-related deaths in the New York metropolitan into the city. Cocaine available in New York City often area in 2000, more than for any other illicit drug. Of is smuggled across the U.S.–Mexico border and then these, 123 were cocaine-induced (overdoses). ADAM transported in commercial and private vehicles to Program data indicate that 48.8 percent of adult male transshipment points, such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, arrestees in New York City tested positive for abusing Houston, and El Paso, and then to New York City. cocaine in 2000. Cocaine also has been smuggled across the U.S.– Mexico border and subsequently into the city via Cocaine is readily available in New York City. The railcar. On January 28, 2003, DEA officials arrested New York Department (NYPD) Narcotics four individuals—three Mexican nationals and a Division seized 3,113 kilograms of powdered cocaine Dominican national—and seized approximately and 81 kilograms of crack in 2002; in 2001, the 4,000 pounds of cocaine that had been transported Division seized 3,705 kilograms of powdered cocaine across the U.S.–Mexico border into New York City and 51 kilograms of crack, according to Narcotics in the walls of a railroad tanker car carrying veg- Investigation and Trafficking of Recidivist Offenders etable oil. Cocaine also is smuggled via commercial (NITRO) Unit data. NYPD also made 31,781 maritime vessels and aircraft directly from South cocaine-related arrests in New York City in 1999 and America into New York City and indirectly from 31,919 in 2000, the most recent data available. In South America through Miami and other areas. Co- FY2001, 64 percent of the drug-related federal caine often is transported in commercial and private sentences in the Southern District of New York and 41 vehicles from Miami to the city. percent in the Eastern District of New York were powdered or crack cocaine-related, according to the Large quantities of cocaine, often concealed in U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC). The percentage shipments of fruits, vegetables, or other perishable in the Southern District was significantly higher than items, frequently are transported in tractor-trailers the national percentage (43%) that year, while the from southwestern states and Florida to New Jersey percentage in the Eastern District was slightly lower. where the drugs are unloaded and stashed. Much of Powdered cocaine sold for $15,000 to $31,000 per this cocaine subsequently is transported overland from New Jersey to New York City in small quantities.

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cocaine in New York City. Nationally affiliated New Jersey Stash House Used by street gangs such as Ñeta, , Cocaine Distributors in Salvatrucha, and also sell retail quantities On February 8, 2003, officers with the Morris County of powdered and crack cocaine in New York City. (NJ) Police Department and NYPD arrested five Retail quantities of cocaine typically are sold at individuals and seized a total of 675 kilograms of cocaine and $10,000 cash. Most of the cocaine (575 open-air drug markets; however, distributors kilograms) was seized in the basement and garage of increasingly are moving sales indoors. Powdered a residence in Madison, New Jersey; however, the cocaine in New York City usually is packaged in remainder (100 kilograms) was seized as a result of a aluminum foil, glassine bags, and crisp dollar bills traffic stop in the Washington Heights section of or sometimes is wrapped in plastic wrap knotted on Upper Manhattan. The house in Madison was used as a stash location for cocaine destined for both ends. Crack usually is packaged in small distribution in Washington Heights. In Madison plastic bags or plastic wrap knotted at both ends, or officers arrested three individuals, one from Mexico the drug is sold as individual rocks. According to and two from California. In Washington Heights the NYPD Narcotics Division, dealers increasingly officers arrested two individuals, both from New York are concealing crack rocks in their mouths to avoid City. The cocaine had been concealed in white plastic tubs of fruit preserves and smuggled across enforcement detection. the U.S.–Mexico border to a warehouse in California before being transported to the residence. Once at Heroin the residence, the cocaine was extracted from the Heroin poses a significant drug threat to New white plastic tubs. York City. The total number of primary heroin Source: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office; Morris County Police admissions to state-funded and nonfunded treatment Department; NYPD. programs in New York City increased 4 percent from New York City serves as a national-level distri- 20,879 in 1999 to 21,616 in 2000 and was higher bution center for significant quantities of cocaine. than for any other illicit drug during each of these Colombian and Dominican DTOs and criminal years, according to OASAS data. There were 10,988 groups are the primary wholesale-level distributors heroin admissions in the first half of 2001, according of powdered cocaine in New York City. Colombian to the same data. DAWN data indicate that there DTOs and criminal groups usually are based in the were 10,644 heroin ED mentions in the New York Jackson Heights area of Queens, while Dominican metropolitan area in 2001. The rate of heroin ED DTOs and criminal groups typically are based in the mentions per 100,000 population in the New York Washington Heights section of Upper Manhattan. metropolitan area (127) was dramatically higher than These Colombian and Dominican DTOs and crimi- the rate per 100,000 population nationwide (37) that nal groups supply powdered cocaine to criminal year. DAWN mortality data indicate that there were groups for distribution throughout the region and to 194 heroin-related deaths in the New York metro- cities as far away as , Chicago, and Atlanta. In politan area in 2000; none of these deaths were addition, Mexican criminal groups are distributing heroin-induced (overdoses). ADAM Program data wholesale quantities of powdered cocaine at an indicate that 20.5 percent of adult male arrestees in increasing rate in New York City. Dominican DTOs New York City tested positive for abusing heroin in and criminal groups and African American, Jamai- 2000. Further, the OASAS Street Studies Unit can, and Puerto Rican criminal groups are the reported in 2002 that needle-sharing and heroin dominant wholesale-level distributors of crack administration by injection was increasing, while cocaine in the city. heroin administration by snorting was decreasing.

Dominican criminal groups are the primary Heroin is readily available in New York City. retail-level distributors of powdered and crack The NYPD Narcotics Division seized over 302 kilograms of heroin in New York City in 2002 and

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nearly 843 kilograms in 2001, according to NITRO package delivery services. The DEA New York Unit data. According to NYPD, local law enforce- Division reported that the typical amount of heroin ment officials made 32,949 heroin-related arrests in smuggled per shipment via package delivery New York City in 1999 and 33,665 in 2000. In services is 5 to 8 kilograms, an increase over the 2001, 27 percent of the drug-related federal sen- historic range of 1 to 3 kilograms. tences in the Southern District of New York and 36 percent in the Eastern District of New York were Colombian DTOs and criminal groups are the heroin-related, significantly higher than the national primary wholesale-level distributors of heroin in percentage (7%), according to USSC data. New York City, particularly in the Jackson Heights section of Queens; however, Dominican DTOs and South American heroin is the most prevalent type criminal groups sell wholesale quantities as well, available in New York City; Southeast Asian heroin usually from the Washington Heights section of and Southwest Asian heroin also are available. Upper Manhattan. On September 26, 2002, a grand Mexican black tar heroin and brown powdered jury in New York City indicted 20 alleged drug heroin rarely are available––in 2002 Mexican dealers, mostly Dominicans, for distributing signifi- black tar heroin appeared in the Bronx for the first cant quantities of heroin, cocaine, and marijuana time in over a decade. Heroin sold for $60,000 to daily along West 171st Street in the Washington $80,000 per kilogram, $2,100 per ounce, and $10 Heights section of Upper Manhattan. Eight of these to $14 per bag in New York City in the third quarter individuals were part of Gordo’s Crew, a group of of FY2002, according to the DEA New York street members that distributed the drug from Division. The OASAS Street Studies Unit reports 171st Street and Broadway, and 10 were part of that although bags of heroin generally continue to Flecha’s Crew that sold primarily cocaine on the sell for $10 and the quality of the heroin remains corner of 171st Street and Amsterdam Avenue. The relatively unchanged, each bag now contains less remaining two were independent dealers. Both heroin than in the past. crews stashed illicit drugs in nearby where the drugs were processed, weighed, and New York City serves as a national-level trans- packaged for retail distribution. portation hub for significant quantities of heroin. Colombian DTOs and criminal groups control the Dominican criminal groups are the dominant transportation of South American heroin into New retail-level distributors of heroin in New York City. York City; however, they increasingly rely on Retail quantities of heroin most commonly are Dominican DTOs and criminal groups and occa- packaged in glassine envelopes, bags, or bundles sionally Mexican criminal groups to transport South (10 bags). Heroin is sold primarily indoors and American heroin into the city. Couriers aboard less commonly at open-air drug markets and through commercial aircraft smuggle most of the heroin call-and-deliver services. available in New York City. Some couriers travel directly from South American countries, while Marijuana others travel indirectly, typically transiting Brazil, Marijuana is the most widely abused illicit drug the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Jamaica, in New York City. The total number of primary Panama, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. Some couri- marijuana admissions to state-funded and nonfunded ers smuggle heroin into the Miami International treatment programs in New York City increased 9 Airport and other locations and then take flights to percent from 10,219 in 1999 to 11,151 in 2000, New York City; however, some of the heroin that according to OASAS data. There were 6,582 mari- arrives by aircraft in Miami is transported into juana admissions in the first half of 2001, according New York City via private and commercial ve- to OASAS data. DAWN data indicate that there were hicles. Heroin also is transported into the city using 3,501 marijuana ED mentions in the New York

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metropolitan area in 2001. The rate of marijuana sold as joints. Marijuana typically is sold from ED mentions per 100,000 population in the New street corners, apartments, and other dwellings in York metropolitan area (42) was slightly lower than New York City. Marijuana increasingly is sold the rate per 100,000 population nationwide (44) through call-and-deliver services in the city. that year. ADAM Program data indicate that 40.6 percent of adult male arrestees in New York City MDMA tested positive for abusing marijuana in 2000. MDMA poses one of the fastest-growing drug threats to New York City. DAWN data indicate that Marijuana is the most readily available illicit there were 172 MDMA ED mentions in the New drug in New York City. The NYPD Narcotics York metropolitan area in 2001, a dramatic in- Division seized 5,626 pounds of marijuana in New crease from 41 in 1997. Nonetheless, the rate of York City in 2002 and 13,901 pounds in 2001, MDMA ED mentions per 100,000 population in the according to NITRO Unit data. According to New York metropolitan area (2) was equal to the NYPD, local law enforcement officials made nationwide rate in 2001. DAWN mortality data 43,122 marijuana-related arrests in New York City indicate that there were five deaths in which club in 1999 and 60,455 in 2000, more than for any other drugs—a category that includes MDMA—were a illicit drug during each of these years. Some mari- factor in the New York metropolitan area in 2000. juana distributors increasingly are engaging in The number of MDMA abusers who also abuse violent —primarily because historically other substances, including Viagra, cocaine, and violent cocaine and heroin distributors now also heroin, in New York City has increased, according distribute marijuana. Law enforcement officials to DEA. In 2002 the OASAS Street Studies Unit often seize numerous weapons during marijuana reported that in Brooklyn powdered MDMA mixed seizures in New York City, according to the DEA with powdered cocaine was smoked in blunts New York Division. In 2001, 4 percent of the drug- (hollowed-out cigars), the first reporting of MDMA related federal sentences in the Southern District of abused in this manner in the city. New York and 14 percent in the Eastern District of New York were marijuana-related, compared with Israeli and Russian DTOs and criminal groups 33 percent nationwide, according to USSC. Com- control the of MDMA into New York mercial-grade marijuana in New York City sold for City. MDMA usually is smuggled into John F. $600 to $2,000 per pound and $100 to $200 per Kennedy (JFK) International Airport from Europe ounce in the third quarter of FY2002, according to by couriers who conceal MDMA in false-bottomed the DEA New York Division. Hydroponically luggage or on their person, via package delivery produced marijuana sold for $3,000 to $5,000 per services, and in air cargo shipments. pound and $300 to $1,200 per ounce during that same period. New York City is a significant distribution hub for MDMA in the . Israeli, Russian, Most marijuana available in New York City is Colombian, and Dominican DTOs and criminal transported from southwestern states and Florida in groups, Eastern European and Asian criminal private vehicles and trucks, via package delivery groups, members of traditional organized crime, services, and by couriers or in cargo shipments on and OMGs often distribute wholesale quantities of commercial aircraft. Jamaican criminal groups are MDMA in New York City. Various criminal groups the most prominent transporters as well as whole- and individuals distribute retail quantities of sale- and retail-level distributors of marijuana in MDMA in the city. Caucasian local independent New York City; however, no specific organization dealers, principally males, are the primary distribu- or group controls the distribution of marijuana. tors of MDMA in nightclubs and on university Retail quantities of marijuana usually are packaged campuses. Dominican criminal groups in the Washing- in small bags—of clear plastic, manila, or paper—or ton Heights section of New York City and African

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American criminal groups in Harlem usually Caucasian local independent dealers are the distribute MDMA from street corners and increas- primary distributors of most ODDs in New York ingly indoors. MDMA most frequently is distributed City. Club drugs typically are available at concerts in tablet form stamped with a logo. MDMA sold for and all-night dance clubs, while diverted pharma- $1.50 to $13 per tablet at the wholesale level and ceuticals generally are available through acquain- $20 to $38 per tablet at the retail level in New York tances and from drug abusers at methadone treat- City in the third quarter of FY2002, according to ment clinics; diverted steroids are sold at body- the DEA New York Division. building gyms.

Other Dangerous Drugs Methamphetamine Other dangerous drugs (ODDs) including club Methamphetamine poses a low drug threat to drugs such as LSD, ketamine, and GHB and its New York City. DAWN data indicate that there analogs and diverted pharmaceuticals such as benzo- were 31 methamphetamine ED mentions in the New diazepines (Xanax), hydrocodones (Vicodin), York metropolitan area in 2000. (Methamphetamine hydromorphones (Dilaudid), methadone, codeine, HIV ED data for 2001 are incomplete.) DAWN mortality treatment drugs, steroids, and methylphenidate data indicate that there were three methamphet- (Ritalin) pose significantly lesser threats to New York amine-related deaths in the New York metropolitan City than most other illicit drugs. Caucasian teenagers area in 2000. NYPD did not report any metham- and young adults are the primary abusers of most club phetamine-related arrests or seizures in 2002 or drugs and Ritalin in New York City, and individuals of 2001. In 2001, 0.2 percent of the drug-related various ethnic backgrounds and ages abuse other federal sentences in the Southern District of New diverted pharmaceuticals. PCP, typically a street drug, York and zero percent in the Eastern District of is also available at raves and nightclubs in New York New York were methamphetamine-related, signifi- City. DAWN data indicate that there were 203 PCP, cantly lower than the national percentage (14%), 62 LSD, 24 ketamine, and 15 GHB ED mentions in the according to USSC. The DEA New York Division New York metropolitan area in 2001, representing reported that methamphetamine sold for $1,700 to slight decreases from 2000 with the exception of $2,100 per ounce and $150 per gram in the third ketamine, which increased slightly. DAWN data quarter of FY2002. Methamphetamine occasionally indicate that there were 1,918 benzodiazepine ED is available at dance clubs, according to the mentions in the New York metropolitan area in 2001, a OASAS Street Studies Unit. slight increase from 1,753 in 2000. Drugs such as dronabinol (Marinol) and megestrol acetate (Megace), Drug which are used to treat wasting syndrome associated Drug money laundering poses a significant threat with HIV infection, are diverted and abused at an to New York City. The Department of Homeland increasing rate in New York City, according to the Security Border and Transportation Security Direc- OASAS Street Studies Unit. torate reports that $4 to $8 billion generated from illicit drug sales is laundered in the New York metro- The DEA New York Division reported that PCP politan area each year. Colombian and Dominican sold for $40 to $50 per gram; LSD sold for $0.50 DTOs and criminal groups are the primary illicit drug per dosage unit at the wholesale level and for $3 to money launderers in New York City. Illicit drug $5 at the retail level; ketamine sold for $40 to $50 proceeds are laundered through various means such per dosage unit; and GHB sold for $10 a bottle cap as commingling of drug proceeds with revenue in New York City in the third quarter of FY2002. generated by legitimate businesses, using money Pricing data for other ODDs distributed illegally in remittance companies, structuring deposits and the city are unavailable. money order purchases, and purchasing property and vehicles. The precious metals and gems trade,

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the securities industry, underground banking Impacts and Impediments systems, and offshore banking also are used to Impacts launder illicit drug proceeds. Further, currency NYPD operates a program known as CompStat, generated through illicit drug activities often is an electronic mapping system and analysis tool that consolidated and transported in bulk from New was developed to improve law enforcement opera- York City. tions and strategic planning, specifically with regard to resource allocation. NYPD attributes Changes/Emerging Trends dramatic decreases in felony crime rates over the past • Most DTOs, criminal groups, and gangs that several years at least in part to the use of CompStat. used to distribute only one type of drug in New CompStat was so effective that similar mapping York City now distribute multiple drugs, systems were established to monitor all city ser- according to NYPD. vices. Police departments across the country are • Mexican criminal groups increasingly are modeling the CompStat program due to its success transporting and distributing illicit drugs, in New York City. particularly cocaine and heroin, in New York NYPD operates mobile Tactical Narcotics City. Teams (TNT) and Neighborhood Stabilization • The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks Teams (NST) to disrupt drug distribution activities. affected the movement of illicit drugs into New TNTs are deployed on a short-term basis to areas York City. According to federal, state, and of the city identified as “hot spots” to make daily local law enforcement officials, postal ser- drug arrests and force drug distribution indoors by vices, trains, and buses increasingly are used targeting both distributors and abusers. NSTs to transport illicit drugs into the city. replace TNTs on a long-term basis to prevent • DEA reports that when cocaine and heroin are recurrences of drug distribution activities. transported within a single shipment, the ratio of cocaine to heroin is often equal whereas in NYPD operates a Model Block Program to the past the ratio was one kilogram of heroin to prevent drug distribution in areas identified as hundreds of kilograms of cocaine. “high risk.” Emergency service vehicles equipped with halogen lights illuminate select streets from • The DEA New York Division reported that, in dusk to dawn and law enforcement officials place at least one incident, raw opium was refined barriers at both ends of select blocks to prevent into heroin in New York City in the third entry. Uniformed officers stop and question anyone quarter of FY2002. attempting to gain access to these blocks. Only • According to the DEA New York Division, residents and individuals with legitimate business there was at least one organized counterfeit are granted access to these areas—and only with prescription ring operating in New York City police escort. in 2002; it used professional printers and possibly computers to produce high quality NYPD operates the North Manhattan Initiative prescription pads. In response to this type of (NMI) to promote information sharing among prescription , state officials adopted an federal, state, and local law enforcement officials ork City and surrounding counties. This official triplicate prescription form. in New Y initiative was instrumental in the February 8, 2003, seizures of 675 kilograms of cocaine in Madison, New Jersey, and Upper Manhattan.

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NYPD proactively enforces the Nuisance schools. The operation entails training 300 safety Abatement Act to stop drug distribution. Landlords agents and installing state-of-the-art surveillance of properties where drug distribution is identified cameras in hallways. are held accountable even if just peripherally involved and are not permitted to rent their proper- On January 1, 2001, New York State began an ties for 6 months. Under this act, police officers Expanded Syringe Access Demonstration Program also are empowered to padlock storefronts from (ESADP) to increase the availability of “clean” which drugs or drug paraphernalia are sold. Smoke hypodermic needles and prevent the spread of shops, which had proliferated throughout the city, needleborne illness such as AIDS (Acquired no longer exist because of proactive enforcement of Immunodeficiency Syndrome). There were 122,758 this statute. (See text box.) adult and pediatric AIDS cases in New York City in 2000, according to OASAS data. Forty-five percent of the adult AIDS cases involved hetero- Enforcement of the Nuisance sexual injecting drug users (IDUs). Forty-seven Abatement Act percent of the 1,975 pediatric AIDS patients in On February 7, 2003, the New York State Supreme New York City in 2000 involved mothers who had Court ordered the closure of two Manhattan injected drugs; 16 percent involved mothers who nightclubs—The Sound Factory and Exit—for allowing college-age students to distribute drugs were sex partners of IDUs, according to OASAS such as MDMA and ketamine on the premises. At data. The ESADP allows licensed pharmacists and Exit, undercover officers from the Narcotics Division healthcare professionals specifically registered of NYPD, the office of the Special Narcotics with the State Department of Health to sell 10 Prosecutor, and the NYPD Civil Enforcement Unit hypodermic needles or less to individuals aged 18 purchased illicit drugs and witnessed open illicit drug use at the club. At The Sound Factory, undercover or older without a prescription. An independent law enforcement officers purchased MDMA, evaluation was submitted to the governor and the ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and legislature on January 15, 2003, to assess the marijuana and observed open drug use. impact of the program on issues such as needle- sharing, substance abuse, and syringe disposal; In 2002 New York State began placing photos of however, published results have yet to be re- convicted drug distributors along with the amount leased. of time each will serve in in known drug distribution territories to deter others from engaging Impediments in similar activities. In November 2002 photos of The September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks have the leader of a violent drug gang—Thief David’s resulted in a reallocation of resources—from Crew—and his enforcers were posted throughout counterdrug to counterterrorism efforts—in New the Bronx; each photo included crew members’ York City. In addition, local law enforcement prison sentences (totaling 120 years) and the officials report that a significant number of officers caption “Don’t be Next!” who serve in the National Guard or military reserve units have been called to active duty, further dimin- In 2002 NYPD formed a partnership with New ishing the resources available for counterdrug York City schools entitled Operation Safe Schools programs, initiatives, and operations. to combat crimes, including drug distribution, in

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State and Regional New Jersey Morris County Police Department Prosecutor’s Office New York City of New York New York Police Department Civil Enforcement Unit Gang Unit Intelligence Division Laboratory Major Case Units Major Narcotics Unit Organized Crime Control Bureau Narcotics Division Drug Enforcement Task Force Narcotic Borough Queens Major Case Unit Narcotics Investigation and Trafficking of Recidivist Offenders Unit Organized Crime Investigation Division Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor New York State Division of Services Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Street Studies Unit Supreme Court New York/New Jersey New York/Regional Task Forces Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force New York/New Jersey Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Federal Executive Office of the President Office of National Drug Control Policy High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas New York/New Jersey U.S. Department of Commerce Census Bureau

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Office of Applied Studies Drug Abuse Warning Network Treatment Episode Data Set U.S. Department of Homeland Security Border and Transportation Security Directorate Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (formerly U.S. Customs Service) New York Division Coast Guard New York City U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Unit New York Division New York Police Department/Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Federal Bureau of Investigation New York Field Office National Institute of Justice Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District Southern District U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Network High Intensity Money Laundering and Related Area New York/New Jersey U.S. Postal Service U.S. Sentencing Commission

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319 Washington Street 5th Floor, Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 • (814) 532-4601 NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: ADNET http://ndicosa LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic RISS ndic.riss.net www.usdoj.gov/ndic 052103

This document may contain dated information. It has been made available to provide access to historical materials.