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U.S. Department of JusticeDrug Enforcement Administration

June 2007

DEA-07007

New York StateMethamphetamine Situation Report


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This report was prepared by the Unified Intelligence Division of the DEA New York Field Division. Comments may be directed

to the Unified Intelligence Division of the DEA New York Field Division, at (212) 337-2888. Requests for copies may be faxed

to the Intelligence Production Unit, Intelligence Division, DEA Headquarters, at (202) 307-8726.

June 2007

DEA-07007


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New York Methamphetamine Situation Report |

Table of contents

Message from the Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division ..........iii

Introduction .................. ................... .................... .................... ................... .................... .. 1

Availability .................. ................... .................... .................... ................... .................... ..... 1

Demand ................... .................... .................... ................... .................... .................... ........ 1

Production .................. ................... .................... .................... ................... .................... ..... 2

Methamphetamine Laboratories in New York .................... ................... ............... 3

Hazardous Waste ................... ................... .................... .................... ................... ............ 5

Transportation ................. .................... ................... .................... .................... .................. 5

Distribution ................... ................... .................... .................... ................... .................... .. 5

Prices and Purity .................... ................... .................... .................... ................... ............ 6

Legislation ................... ................... .................... .................... ................... .................... ..... 6

Conclusion .................. ................... .................... .................... ................... .................... ..... 6



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New York Methamphetamine Situation Report | iii

This report is published and distributed by the Drug Enforcement Administrations

(DEA) New York Field Division (NYFD). The New York State Methamphetamine

Situation Report is provided to individuals and agencies responsible for enforcing

drug laws in the United States.

The danger of methamphetamine is not just limited to the West Coast of the United

States. Methamphetamine is available in New York, although to a much lesser

extent than other drugs. Some of the methamphetamine seen in New York is

produced by small clandestine laboratories throughout the state, while the majority

is being supplied primarily by drug traffi cking organizations based in Mexico and

California. Methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug and it is our duty to inform our counterparts of the current

methamphetamine situation in New York State.

It is the hope of the DEA that this report will serve as an investigative tool to inform and educate our law

enforcement counterparts. The DEA is committed to providing timely information to federal, state, and local

law enforcement counterparts in a concerted effort to contribute, share, and promote a productive exchange ofemerging trends in traffi cking. We welcome questions, comments, and additions. Please direct any questions

relative to this report to the New York Field Intelligence Manager at 212-337-2888.

John P. GilbrideSpecial Agent in Charge

New York Field Division

Message from the Special Agent in Charge, New York Field Division



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New York Methamphetamine Situation Report | 1

INTRODUCTION

While methamphetamine traffickingand abuse exists in New York State,

it is less prevalent when comparedto heroin, cocaine/crack, marijuana,

and MDMA (ecstasy). Like cocaine,methamphetamine is a powerful

central nervous system stimulantthat produces alertness and elation,but, since it metabolizes ver y slowly,

its effects last longer than cocaine.Methamphetamine can be smoked,

injected, or taken orally.

Methamphetamine users

suffer both psychological andphysiological effects. Long-term

methamphetamine abuse can causeaggressive and ps ychotic behavior,

paranoia, hallucinations, memoryloss, cardiac/neurological damage

and extreme overall physicaldeterioration, such as fatal kidneyand lung disorders, br ain damage,

weight loss, skin sores and rotten/loose teeth, also known as meth

mouth. There are also second-handmethamphetamine effects that range

from dangers to the environment, tothe community, and to our childrenshealth and safety. Violence is also

attributed to methamphetamine use.

Fortunately, New York State has notexperienced the violence attributedto methamphetamine use that is

plaguing other parts of the UnitedStates.

Operation Red Fusion isevidence of New Yorks current

methamphetamine problem. Thissuccessful investigation resulted in

the discovery of nine operationalmethamphetamine laboratoriesas well as equipment used in

the production of psilocybinmushrooms and the cultivation

of marijuana (Figure 1). Specia lagents also seized quantities of

manufactured methamphetamineand hundreds of grams ofrestricted chemicals, including

red phosphorus and iodine. Theinvestigation targeted individuals

in New York City and Long Islandwho imported red phosphorus

and other restricted chemicals,

which are known to be used to

manufacture methamphetaminein clandestine laboratories. Thetargets of Oper ation Red Fusionwere not members of a singl e

criminal or narcotic organization, butrather each ac ted independently,

producing personal-use quantitiesof methamphetamine. However,

one laboratory seized was capableof producing quantities greater thanpersonal use.

AVAILABILITY

Methamphetamine is available i n

New York State, but to a much lesserextent than other drugs such asheroin, cocaine/crack, marijuana and

MDMA. Intelligence reveals thatmethamphetamine is available in

gram, ounce, and pound quantities.Methamphetamine in its crystallized

form, typically re ferred to as ice, isparticularly popular in the nightclubs

and at other venues in New York

City. Powdered methamphetamine

is more prevalent i n the upstateregion and is of ten manufacturedby independent methamphetamineusers for personal use.

Although methamphetamine

trafficking has increased in thenortheast region of the United

States, seizures of methamphetaminby the New York Field Di vision(NYFD) have remained consistently

less than 11 kilograms a year since2000, with the exception of 14

kilograms seized in 2004. Mostrecently, in 2006, 10 kilograms of

methamphetamine were seized bythe NYFD, representing less thanone percent of DEAs nationwide

methamphetamine seizures.

DEMAND

New York has a somewhat bifurcatedmethamphetamine market. Within

the New York City area, crystal

Figure 1

OPERATION RED FUSION resulted in the discovery of nine operational

methamphetamine laboratories.

Source: DEA phot


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methamphetamine (ice) is favored byusers (Figure 2). Outside the New York

City area, powder methamphetamineis preferred (Figure 3). Traditionally,

methamphetamine abuse is generallyconfined to limited segments of

the New York population such asmembers of outlaw motorcycle gangs,

independent users, and young adultsattending raves or nightclubs in NewYork City.

According to the most recent data

from the United States Department ofHealth and Human Services - SubstanceAbuse and Mental Health Services

Administration (SAMHSA) TreatmentEpisode Data Set (TEDS) 2005, there

were 659 primary methamphetamine/amphetamine admissions aged 12 and

over in New York State during 2005.This was a 1 percent decrease from

2004. It should be noted, the numberof methamphetamine-related treatmentadmissions to publicly funded facilities

in New York is dramatically lower thanthe numbers for heroin, cocaine/crack,

and marijuana. The apparent lowincidence of methamphetamine abuse

in New York is likely the result of areadily available and fairly inexpensivesupply of other illicit stimulants such as

cocaine and crack.

PRODUCTION

Methamphetamine is produced bothdomestically and internationallyand smuggled into the United

States, primarily from Mexico,with small amounts smuggled in

from countries in Southeast Asia.Mexican-based organizations are

able to obtain ton quantities ofprecursor chemicals, specificallyephedrine and pseudoephedrine,

from Europe, Asia, and the Far East, tomanufacture enormous amounts of

methamphetamine. These precursorchemicals have fewer controls in Mexico

than in the United States. Most of themethamphetamine encountered inNew York is shipped from the West

Coast. Mexico and California-basedMexican trafficking groups dominate the

methamphetamine market on the WestCoast. These organizations operate

super laboratories, which are capable

of producing more than 10 pounds ofmethamphetamine in one production

cycle. The Mexican-produced

methamphetamine has extended acrossthe United States, ultimately reachingthe New York City area. A recentSyracuse Resident Office investigation,

Operation Crystal Apple, culminatedin the disruption of an organization

involved in the local distribution ofmultiple pounds of methamphetamine

supplied from the southwest border.As a result of this investigation, sixsubjects were arrested and 12 firearms,

approximately $60,000 U.S. currency,1 ounce of cocaine, 280 marijuana

plants, and approximately 4 pounds ofmethamphetamine were seized.

There are multiple ways to producemethamphetamine powder. The

two most popular are the AnhydrousAmmonia (also known as Nazi)

and the Red Phosphorous/HydriodicAcid methods, both of which use

ephedrine/pseudoephedrine astheir precursor (Figure 4). The mostsignificant difference is that the

Red Phosphorous/Hydriodic Acidmethod requires heat to complete theprocess. The Anhydrous Ammonia

(Nazi) method takes less timeand produces a product with fewer

impurities. However, the toxicity ofanhydrous ammonia requires that

the cooking take place under afume hood or outdoors, while theRed Phosphorous/Hydriodic Acid

method is easily conducted over a hotplate in a residence or motel room,

or even on a car engine. A lava lampwas used at one methamphetamine

laboratory identified in an apartmentin Manhattan during Operation

Red Fusion. The top of the lampwas removed and the lamp wascleaned out. The target then mixed

and heated the methamphetamineingredients in the lamp.

Tioga a nd Chemung counties,which are located in the southern

tier of New York, adjacent to thenorthern Pennsylvania border,

have historically seen mostly Nazilaboratories partly because of the

Figure 2

Crystal methamphetamine (ice) is

favored by users in the New York City area.

Figure 3

Powdered methamphetamine is favored

by users outside the New York City area.

Source: DEA photoFigure 4


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availability of anhydrous ammoniaat the many farms in that region of

New York State (Figure 5). A thirdmethod of production, known as

P2P, uses Phenyl-2 Propanone asits primary precursor as oppose d

to ephedrine. This method waspopular in Philadelphia and Southern

New Jersey in the past; however, itspopularity has significantly declinedin these areas and has not been seen

in New York.

Crystal methamphetamine, alsoknown as ice, is produced whenacetone is added to the powder to

re-cr ystallize the methamphetamineinto a substance that resembles

rock candy. It is a form that isprimarily found in New York

City. Ice has a higher quality/purity than powder because the

hydrochloride is essentially washedby the acetone leaving only themethamphetamine. To be legally

considered ice under federal law,the methamphetamine must be

greater than 80% pure. However,crystallized methamphetamine does

not always have a higher purity levelthan powder. Chemically, powderand crystallized methamphetamine

are the same substances, but simply

have different appearances.

The evolutio n of technology a nd the

increased use of the internet havemade it easier to acquire recipesfor methamphetamine. In the

past, methamphetamine cooksclosely guarded their recipes. Today

cooks willingly share their recipeson-line. This form of information

sharing allows wide dissemination ofmethamphetamine manufacturingmethods to anyone with computer

access. Detailed directions for theclandestine manufacturing for all

three methamphetamine productionmethods can easily be obtained from

the internet. The majority of peoplewho clandestinely manufacture smallamounts of methamphetamine in

New York State reported obtainingprecursor chemicals at the local

retail level. Regular householdproducts, such as alcohol, paint

thinner, cold tablets, Epsom salt,

anhydrous ammonia (primarily

used as an agricultural fer tilizer),acetone, red phosphorous (used

in matches), and many others, aretypical ingredients in the production

process. These products are readilyavailable and relatively inexpensive.

For approximately $100 in materials,a cook can p roduce $1,000 wor thof methamphetamine. Precursor

chemicals such as red phosphorousand iodine, although restricted

chemicals in the United States, canalso be purchased via the internetfrom international sources. In

Operation Red Fusion, precursorchemicals were obtained from

foreign sources via the internetand imported into New York for

the purpose of manufacturing

personal use quantities ofmethamphetamine. Aside frommarijuana, methamphetamine is theonly widely abused ille gal drug that

is capable of being grown or readilymanufactured by the abuser.

METHAMPHETAMINELABORATORIES IN NEW YORK

In New York State (and nationwide),

approximately 98 percent of all

Clinton

Essex

Franklin

WarrenHamilton

Fulton

Washington

St. Lawrence

Jefferson

Lewis

HerkimerOneidaOswego

Onondaga

Wayne

SenecaOntario

MonroeOrleans

Genesee

WyomingLivingston

Niagara

Erie

Chautauqua Cattaraugus Allegany Steuben

Yates

Chemung

Schuyler

Tompkins

Cayuga

Cortland

Tioga

Madison

Chenango

Broome

Ostsego

Delaware

Schoharie

Montgomery

Schenectady

Saratoga

Albany

Rensselaer

Greene

Ulster

Columbia

Dutchess

Putnam

Rockland

Westchester

Orange

Sullivan

Richmond

Kings

Queens

BronxNew York

Nassau

Suffolk

clandestine drug laboratories

produce methamphetamine.MDMA is the next most commonly

encountered type of clandestinelaboratory in New York State.

The vast m ajority of clandes tinelaboratories are located in very r ural

areas throughout central New YorkState. Most laboratory operatorsproduce less than ounce quantities

of methamphetamine for localdistribution or personal use. There

have been very few clandestinelaboratories in New York State

where sophisticated equipment orglassware were seized. Additionally,no super laboratories have been

seized within the state.

During 2006, a total of 36

methamphetamine incidents orlaboratories were reported tothe New York State IntelligenceCenter (NYSIC) or to the DEA NYFD.

Methamphetamine seizures occurredin 13 New York counties and within

the five boroughs of New YorkCity. Of the 36 methamphetamine

incidents, 17 laboratories were usingthe red-phosphorus productionmethod and 13 laboratories were

using the anhydrous ammonia

Figure 5

Tioga and Chemung counties, adjacent to the

northern Pennsylvania border, have historicallyseen mostly Nazi laboratories partly because of

the availability of anhydrous ammonia at the many

farms in that region of New York State.

Source: DE


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production method. In January 2007,

one methamphetamine laboratorywas identified and dismantled inWashington County as a result of

Operation Red Dragon (Figure7). The laboratory consisted of

approximately 22 ounces of methoil, mason jars, glassware, red

phosphorous, iodine tinc ture,hydrogen chloride gas, sodiumhydroxide, muriatic acid, acetone,

alcohol, and pseudoephedrinetablets. In addition to the clandestine

laboratory, law enforcement seized aloaded .22 caliber revolver from the

shed in which the methamphetaminewas being manufactured.

Tioga (37), Jeff erson (29), Chemu ng(27), Ostego (25), and Broome

(20) counties have had the mostmethamphetamine seizures/

incidents reported in the state from1999 through 2006 (Figure 6). Thefirst repor ted clandestine laboratory

seizure in New York City, specificallyin the Bronx, occurred in December

2002 and was being operated by themotorcycle club Satans Soldiers.

There were no o ther lab oratoryseizures or incidents reported in NewYork City until 2006. In 2006, as a

result of Operation Re d Fusion, seven

methamphetamine laboratories wereidentified in the New York City area.From 2001 through 2006, Long Island

reported six methamphetaminelaboratory seizures or incidents.Most clandestine laboratories

reported in New York State havebeen in single-family residences.

However, one methamphetaminelab identified during Op eration Red

Fusion was being op erated from theback of a truck (Figure 8).

During the past few years, NewYork State has experienced a

substantial decrease in the numberof clandestine methamphetamine

laboratories reported to the NYSICor DEA. There were 36 laboratory

seizures or incidents in 2006, downfrom 73 laboratory seizures orincidents in 2003. This represents

a 50 percent decrease in laboratoryseizures or incidents in New York

Clinton

Essex

Franklin

Warren

Hamilton

Fulton

Washington

St. Lawrence

Jefferson

Lewis

HerkimerOneidaOswego

Onondaga

Wayne

SenecaOntario

MonroeOrleans

Genesee

WyomingLivingston

Niagara

Erie

Chautauqua Cattaraugus Allegany Steuben

Yates

Chemung

Schuyler

Tompkins

Cayuga

Cortland

Tioga

Madison

Chenango

Broome

Ostsego

Delaware

Schoharie

Montgomery

Schenectady

Saratoga

Albany

Rensselaer

Greene

Ulster

Columbia

Dutchess

Putnam

Rockland

Westchester

Orange

Sullivan

Richmond

Kings

Queens

BronxNew York

Nassau

Suffolk

27 37 20

25

29

Figure 6

Tioga (37), Jefferson (29), Chemung (27), Ostego

(25), and Broome (20) counties have had the mostmethamphetamine seizures/incidents reported in the

state from 1999 through 2006.

Figure 7

First 2007 methamphetamine laboratory seizure in Washington County

Figure 8

Mobile methamphetamine laboratory found in a truck as part of Operation Red Fusio

Source: DEA photo

Source: DEA photo

Source: DE


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State over a 3-year period (Figure 9).The increased regulat ion of the saleand use of precursor and essential

chemicals used in the produc tionof methamphetamine, particularly

pseudoephedrine, has resultedin a signific ant decrease in the

prevalence of methamphetamine

laboratories in New York State andnationwide.

HAZARDOUS WASTE

The amount of hazardous waste

material generated from clandestinelaboratories varies from a fewpounds to several tons, depending

on the size of the laboratory andits manufacturing capabilities.

Methamphetamine cooks can produceapproximately 6 pounds of hazardous

toxic waste for every pound ofmethamphetamine manufactured.Methamphetamine producers often

dispose of chemical wastes andcontaminated apparatus by dumping

it on the ground; into streams, rivers,and sewage systems; by placing it into

containers that will eventually corrodeand leak; or through incineration(burn barrels). The majority of

the waste chemicals is extremelytoxic and endangers all who come

into contact with these hazardousmaterials. Protective equipment,

including personal protectiveequipment for the eyes, face, head,and extremities, protective clothing,

respiratory devices, and protectiveshields and barriers, should be used

whenever encountering possiblemethamphetamine laboratories or

dump sites.

The nature of the clandestinelaboratory manufacturing process and

the presence of ignitable, corrosive,reactive, and toxic chemicals atthe sites can result in explosions,

fires, toxic fumes, and irreparabledamage to human health and the

environment. Fortunately, there havebeen very few examples of explosions,fires and the release of toxic fumes in

New York State. However, in Februar y2006, a methamphetamine cook was

killed in Binghamton, New York, whena small-scale clandestine laboratory

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Clandestine Laboratory Seizures

Calender Years 2003 - 2007(New York State Reported Clandestine Laboratories)

exploded and caught fire in the

basement of a single-family residence.

Cleanup of seized clandestinelaboratory sites is complex,dangerous, expensive, and time

consuming. During calendar year2005, approximately $17.8 million

in federal tax dollars were spentto remove hazardous materials

from 8,896 clandestine laboratorysites around the United States, notincluding the removal of hazardous

materials that might have beenfunded by state, county, or local

governments. The average costfor removing hazardous materials

from a clandestine laboratory site inNew York State during calendar year2005 was approximately $3,400 per

incident.

TRANSPORTATION

Mexican drug traffickingorganizations operating in Mexico,

California, and the Southwest producethe methamphetamine often seen innightclubs and at raves in New York

City. The vast majority of the crystalmethamphetamine found in New York

City is shipped from the West Coastvia overnight packaging services or

the U.S. Postal Service. Additionally,methamphetamine is secreted in

commercial or private vehiclesand then transported to the New

York area for distribution. In someinstances, methamphetamine is

transported by couriers who travelon commercial flights to the West

Coast to purchase various quantitiesof methamphetamine and thenreturn to the New York area.

DISTRIBUTION

Two very different distribution

situations exist in New YorkState one being the large-scaledistribution of methamphetamine

within the greater New York Cityarea and the other being the

relatively small-scale distribution ofmethamphetamine in rural upstate

communities.

Personal-use quantities of

methamphetamine are beingmanufactured in laboratories in

upstate New York and to a lesserextent in New York City and in

Long Island, New York. Upstateclandestine laboratory operatorsalso sell relatively small amounts of

methamphetamine to supplementtheir income or to purchase the

necessary ingredients to cook moremethamphetamine.

JAN

Figure 9

Source: DEA


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Local independent dealersdistribute methamphetamine on

the club scene. Members of outlawmotorcycle gangs also distribute

methamphetamine in New York.Seizures of methamphetamine in New

York continue to be significantly lowerin comparison to other areas of the

United States.

PRICES AND PURITY

Methamphetamine prices vary across

the State of New York. The price for apound of crystal methamphetamine inthe New York City ranges from $13,000

to $15,000 and the price for a poundof powdered methamphetamine

in Western New York rangesfrom $10,000 to $26,000. At the

user level, the price for a gram ofmethamphetamine ranges between$130 and $140 in New York Cit y and

between $65 and $150 in Upstate andWestern New York (Figure 10). Over

the past few years, the NYFD has seena significant decrease in the average

purity of cr ystal methamphetamineat the gram, ounce and kilogramquantities. From 2004 to 2006,

average crystal methamphetaminepurities in New York declined over 40

percent (Figure 11).

LEGISLATION

Methamphetamine is a synthetic

central nervous system stimulant thatis classified as a Schedule II controlled

substance. Although federal and statelaws exist, efforts have been made

over the past few years to strengthenmethamphetamine laws at both levels.

The federal sentencing guidelines for

methamphetamine require 5 gramsof methamphetamine at 100 percent

purity for a minimum mandatorysentence of 5 years. Possessing 50

grams of methamphetamine at 100percent purity or one kilogram at any

purity equates to a 10 year minimummandatory sentence. On March 9,2006, the Combat Methamphetamine

Epidemic Act of 2005 (CMEA) wassigned into law to regulate, among

other things, retail over-the-countersales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine,

and phenylpropanolamine products

Weight New York City Area Upstate New York Western New York

Pound Not reported Not reported $10,000 - $26,000

Pound (Crystal) $13,000 - $15,000 Not reported Not reported

Ounce $800 - $1,400 $900 $2,000

Ounce (Crystal) $3,000 - $7,000 $1,850 - $2,800 Not reportedGram $130 - $140 $80 - $125 $65 - $150

Weight 2004 2005 2006

1 - 5 grams 83% 65% 50%

1 - 5 ounces 75% 79% 30%

1 - 5 kilograms 86% 73% 40%

Methamphetamine Prices in New York

Average Purity of Methamphetamine in New YorkCalender Years 2003 2006

Source: DEA Stride as of March 200

and precursor chemicals used tomanufacture methamphetamine.

In November 2005, the New York StateSenate enacted new laws regarding

the possession of methamphetaminemanufacturing materials and

the unlawful manufacture ofmethamphetamine. The state adopted

the federal standard that only one of adesignated list of ingredients, not just

the finished product, needs to be foundin the possession of a person to supporta felony conviction. The new statute

classifies six additional crimes as felonies.

Many jurisdictions have implementedDrug Endangered Children (DEC)

programs. DEC programs aim tohelp children who suffer physicalor psychological harm and neglect

resulting from presence at or nearsites of drug production (especially

methamphetamine) or from exposure

to illegal drugs or persons under theinfluence of illegal drugs. In November2005, the United States Attorneys Officesponsored a DEC conference in Niagara

Falls, New York. This seminar was thefirst of its kind for the New York area.

In September 2006, the NYFD hosteda Methamphetamine Symposium to

educate New Yorkers on the second-hand methamphetamine effects at PaceUniversity in Manhattan, New York.

Over 200 educators, medical personnel,

law enforcement and parents attended

the seminar.

CONCLUSION

Methamphetamine trafficking and

abuse exists throughout New YorkState but to a much lesser extent

than other drugs such as heroin,cocaine/crack, marijuana and MDMA.

Methamphetamine is an extremely

dangerous drug. Fortunately, the NewYork area has not yet experienced the

full impact of the dangers associatedwith methamphetamine. However,

Mexican drug trafficking organizationdominate the methamphetamine

market on the West Coast and havereadily available access to NewYork through established cocaine

and heroin transportation routes.Fortunately, the demand for bulk

quantities of methamphetaminein New York remains low when

compared to other drugs. However,the established transportationroutes remain a potential threat to

the New York area if the demandfor methamphetamine in New York

increases. Indeed, stricter federal andstate legislation coupled with diligent

law enforcement efforts shouldhelp to mitigate the proliferation ofmethamphetamine trafficking and

abuse in the New York area.

Figure 10

Figure 11


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