Chapter 14 Narcotics and Drug Investigations• Current State of Narcotics and Drug Abuseo 45% of prisoners report that they used a major drug before committing the crimeo 16 million Americans admit to currently using an illegal narcotic during the past montho Drug use has currently dropped, 12 year decline until 1992, since then drug usage has increasedo Marijuana usage among teens has risen 300% since 1992%o Estimates $49 billion annually on drugs, 31 billion for cocaine • Narcotics (Depressant effect on the CNS)o The Opium Poppy Produces drugs such as morphine, codeine, heroin  Grown in Mexico, South America, South East Asia, South West Asia  Highpoint in USA late 1800s. Relatively rare now  Most common way is smokingo Morphine  Principle alkaloid of opium  Mostly white crystalline powder, 3 times stronger then opium o Heroine  Chemically synthesized from morphine 500,000-750,000 heroine addicts 2nd in frequency of addiction, cocaine is #1  Popularity doubled worldwide in past several years for opium being grown Can be injected, snorted, or smoked Most commonly from Afghanistan (Also Colombia and Mexico) Most prevalent in inner cities of large metropolitan areas • Distribution Cycleo Principal Distributors Greatest profits, 100% pureo Whole Sales Have funds, lacks connections to produce opium o Ounce Distributors Buys in pound quantitieso Street Dealerso 36% purity, usually addicts sell o Methadone  Totally synthetic narcotic  Used in heroin detoxification programs Eliminates withdrawal symptomso Cocaine Narcotic extracted from the leaf of the coca bush White crystal like granule form Mostly from Peru and Bolivia Gained popularity in the 1960s• Free base cocaineo Crack cocaine is a form that is not in its hydrochloride powder o It is combined with baking soda and cookedo Crack is five times more powerful than regular cocaine• Distribution Cycleo Principle Distributors Transport and reap greatest profits o Secondary dealers Sell directly to the street addicts o Physical and Mental Effects Opiates • Depressant • Rush is intense euphoric sensation, lasts only minutes• After rush user becomes drowsy • Experience a mellow state of well being• Effects for 2-5 hours, dilatation of pupils  Cocaine • Immediate rush sensation • Increased heart beat, elevated blood pressure and dilation of pupils • Psychological delusions• Lasts usually 1 hour• Depressantso Aka Barbiturates and Tranquilizerso Sedative effect on CNSo Prescribed for anxious mental conditionso Seconal, Valium, Nembutal o Effects seem like intoxication to otherso Approximately 15 million Americans abuse prescription drugso Rohypnol “roofies” is a depressant used on unsuspecting victims and put in their drinkso Rohypnol after 10 minutes creates an intense blackout o GHB is commonly abused by juveniles and young adults; synthetic drug • Stimulantso Methamphetamine A powerful stimulant, serious and rapidly increasing problem in most of the US Began in 1960s, snort, inject, or smoke Smoking is most common Increased popularity in the later 1990s  “High” lasts for up to ten minutes Popularity growing and meth labs are plentiful  Immediate intense rush or a delayed euphoria Typical abuser: Mid 20s, white male• Hallucinogenso Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) First synthesized in Switzerland by a biochemist  Most common/well known psychedelic compound Typically produced in illegal drug labs in the US Liquid, pill, or powder form Felt only for 30 minutes to an houro Phencyclidine (PCP) AKA Angel Dust Very powerful non addictive anesthetic drug hallucinogen Produces more violent behavior then any other drug 7 million Americans have used it  Pill or smokedo Mescaline and Psilocybin Natural hallucinogens, no physical dependenceo Methlyenedioxy Amphetamine (Ecstasy) Love drug Hallucinogen with amphetamine effects Increased energy, raised blood pressure and heart rate Brought from Mexico and Europe in capsule form Pills, tablets, or loose powder Users: Middle class teenagers and dance parties  Tablet effects brain for six hours Increased usage well into the 2000s  Pupils become extremely dilated  Drink lots of water to stay hydrated o Marijuana 1/5th of Americans have smoked 12 million currently daily users  Gradual clime in popularity with high schoolers 60% comes from Mexico Rolled into cigarettes or from a pipe Altered perception, drowsy or talkative • Anabolic Steroidso Any drug related to testosterone that promotes muscle growth o Abuse is higher in urban areas• Inhalantso Generally noncontrolled chemicals that emit fumes when dispensed from an air sealed container o Examples: glue, nail polish, furniture polish o Table 14.1 Pg 380 • Investigative Procedureso Difficulties  International nature of this crime category  Low suspect visibility risk compared to other crimes • Directions of the Inquiry: Production, Distribution, and Abuseo Sources of production Sources are known but usually outside the US Gets complicated by politics and lack of coordination South America, Mexico and Asia main sources US government created El Paso Intelligence Center and now it is the worlds leading drug intelligence and training network o Sources of Distribution Dealers• All levels of law enforcement combat these people FBI and DEA merged investigative drug operations in 1982  Civil Forfeiture • Assets seizure is a legal punishment in which property used for illegal purposes is transferred to government ownership  Most common drug trafficking is by vehicle but also is done by consumption by mutes, human or animal o Sources of Abuse Usually began with a suspect Indicators of drug misuse table 14.3 pg 387 • Stages in development of drug use patternso Stage 1  Use begins with small, isolated groups o Stage 2 Users experiment with other forms of drug abuse o Stage 3 Users focus on a specific drug, and dealing accelerateso Stage 4 Drug use increases as does the level of dealingo Stage 5 Drug use reaches epidemic proportions and overloads police and other public agency resources • Undercover Operationso Officers assume roles to accomplish a tasko Case Preparation  Should never be initiated without being thoroughly preparedo Field Operations Officer needs credible