DRUG TRAFFICKING

• Illicit drug threats in the South Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (SFLHIDTA) present major challenges to law enforcement and interdiction operations. The South Florida regional drug threats are endemic, persistent threats sufficient in magnitude and scope to warrant priority national level interest.

• This region is an established international gateway to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico. These areas represent the primary transit zones and sources of supply of all illicit drugs to include cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Ecstasy and methamphetamine. The criminal drug trafficking operating in South Florida are international in composition with a highly diverse base. They supply the United States demand, much of which transits this gateway enroute to other drug markets in the east and central United States.

• South Florida is the 7th largest metropolitan area of the United States and one of the primary access points into the United States for cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Additionally, diverted pharmaceutical medications are illegally distributed in this region and also to other drug market areas in the United States. The local pain management clinics and the Internet are key elements of this illicit supply of drugs such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, anabolic steroids and a host of all other prescribed medications.

• South Florida is also a major domestic producer of indoor-grown, hydroponic marijuana. It is a regional producer that has continued to expand its production and distribution from local markets to other Florida metropolitan areas and even to other states. Consequently Florida has become the second largest national producer of indoor, hydroponic marijuana and is second only to California.

• Due to the emergence of diverted pharmaceuticals, or prescription drugs, today local, state and federal agencies consider this a major threat category comparable to cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.