›› Alabama: Drug Climate

There is widespread use of illicit drugs originating from out of state, along with homegrown marijuana and increasingly the local manufacture of both meth and designer drugs.

Illegal drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana still account for the bulk of drugs flowing into Alabama . Drugs are trafficked into Alabama via Colombian, Mexican, and Caribbean Drug Trafficking Groups along with regional and local criminal organizations. Mexican, Caribbean and regional criminal organizations have been found to operate extensive distribution networks within Alabama . On a smaller scale Motorcycle Gangs are also supplying meth through their own networks in the state. The incidence of local Clandestine Meth Labs is increasing.

• Cocaine
  Marijuana accounts for most of the arrests in Alabama but cocaine and crack cocaine also pose a major threat. The addictive characteristics of crack cocaine can destroy otherwise productive lives and perhaps a key factor why many individuals succumb to health conditions that prompt them to turn to their life cover insurance premiums to pay for medical expenses. The violence associated with cocaine trafficking and street sales creates a pall that hangs over many of Alabama 's lower income neighborhoods. The greater part of Alabama 's cocaine is supplied through Mexican sources in the border states . ( California , Arizona , and Texas ) Alabama 's near proximity to Atlanta , Georgia , and Miami , Florida , (Major trafficking Hubs) also comprises a significant threat. Atlanta is a major transportation center for the airline industry and transcontinental trucking, while Miami has always been a major international drug trafficking hub and many of the South American and Caribbean groups have ties to the south Florida.
• Heroin
  Heroin is not a significant factor in Alabama during the past few years; however indications are that recently heroin use is increasing. Most heroin in Alabama comes into the state by way of Jamaica , and more recently from New York . The purity of heroin found in Alabama is increasing while the street price is dropping. This presents an alarming trend.
• Meth
  Meth is becoming the biggest drug threat in Alabama . Methamphetamine abuse surpasses cocaine statewide. Enforcement initiatives are underway to identify drug trafficking organizations involved in meth importation, production and distribution. Methamphetamine labs are generally located in isolated rural communities. Intelligence indicates that bulk methamphetamine distribution in Alabama is dominated by groups supplied by sources in Mexico with transport routes through the border states . Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations use long haul trucks, rented cars, private vehicles and airlines as well as shipping via the Post Office and other interstate commercial carriers. Street sales of and use of meth are divided between the Hispanic and Caucasian communities. The increasing popularity of meth in small towns has resulted in an increase in theft and violence. EPIC statistics indicated lab seizures of 207, 280, and 297 in 2002, 2003, 2004, respectively, indicating an increase in illicit production.
• Club Drugs
  The use and distribution of club drugs among young people is increasing dramatically. Arrests, overdoses and emergency room visits along with seizures of designer “Club Drugs” is up. Ecstasy, LSD, GHB, MDMA are more readily available throughout the state. These drugs are commonly found in college towns on campuses and at venues frequented by students. GHB and MDMA have become the club drugs of choice. Most users are young and white from all economic levels but most often university students and ravers. Ecstasy use has continued to increase. Intelligence indicates Ecstasy is most often coming in from Atlanta, Georgia. Other sources are Florida, Alabama, and Tennessee and internationally from Germany. Ecstasy is the #1 "Club Drug” but the use of GHB and it’s variants has been rising. GHB is now considered a significant threat for Alabama. Solvents containing GHB analogs are available from the Internet. GHB overdoses are being reported regularly. LSD has not seen a corresponding increase in use in Alabama.
• Marijuana
  Marijuana is the most abused drug in Alabama. In the past few years, there has been a marked increase in street dealing and in the size of loads seized. (Particularly in Huntsville and surrounding areas) Previously a 10 pound seizure of marijuana would have been relatively rare, and considered a significant bust. Now it’s common for Huntsville police to seize loads of between 50 and 100 pounds. Production of marijuana inside Alabama is still declining while trafficking into the state is increasing, mostly from Mexico via the interstate and from South America through port cities in Florida and up through the Port of Mobile.
  
  Criminal groups transport large shipments (sometimes well over 100 kilos) into Alabama from the southwestern border region. Typically marijuana is hidden in commercial and private vehicles or sent through the mail or package delivery services. Even though the interstate is the known route for most of the seizures, Intelligence indicates a strong possibility of marijuana smuggling through the various Airports in Alabama.
  
• Pharmaceutical Diversions
  In Alabama Hydrocodone drugs such as Vicodin® have the highest incidence of diversion. Authorities primarily see diversion from three avenues.
  1. Direct illegal distribution and sale of prescription drugs by health care professionals and workers in the healthcare arena
  2. “Doctor Shopping” (going to different doctors to obtain multiple prescriptions)
  3. Fraudulent Internet purchase
  
  In Alabama: Hydrocodone drugs such as Vicodin®, Metadone, Oxycodone variants such as OxyContin®, benzodiazepines such as Xanax®, and phentermine are the most commonly diverted pharmaceuticals.



alabama meth - Yahoo! News Search Results Updated : Morgan County officials search for escaped inmate  The Alabama Department of Corrections issued an escapee notice for Samuel Brandon Mitchell. Publ.Date : Thu, 17 May 2012 10:09:37 -0700 Three arrested in Mobile for cooking meth, child endangerment MOBILE, Alabama -- Mobile police arrested three people for cooking meth in a home while a child was nearby, according to a story on fox10tv.com. Publ.Date : Thu, 10 May 2012 05:05:08 -0700 Cullman police arrest man following slow speed chase Cullman police arrested a man following a slow speed car chase. Publ.Date : Thu, 17 May 2012 12:24:37 -0700 3 caught making meth at Huntsville motel Police arrested three people at a Huntsville motel for making meth Wednesday. Publ.Date : Thu, 17 May 2012 09:09:27 -0700 Jefferson County deputies arrest 4 in meth lab bust in Minor The lab was found when deputies investigated a trespassing report. Publ.Date : Mon, 14 May 2012 16:52:51 -0700 helpforhomeowners.org-voyagemortgageloans.com-Profile-Video-NK-Corporate-Houston Limousine-Clinics-USA BP Claim Center - Free Consultations-FHA Loans-refinance-consultations.com-save energy-neil-Article-RSS Software-RSS to HTML-fharequirement.com-financingmortgages.net-homefha.net-homeloanfha.net-lenderfha.net-lendermortgages.org-lendingarbor.com-lendingrates.org-loansfha.org Neil Kornswiet



alabama marijuana - Yahoo! News Search Results Updated : Newspapers, Schools, Breaking News, Sports, Weather, Alabama, Pelham, Alabaster, Calera, Hoover, Birmingham The following individuals were arrested and charged by municipal police departments from ... Publ.Date : Tue, 08 May 2012 15:02:43 -0700 Three Arrested After Drug Bust In Nashville Metro police busted a drug pipeline after stopping couriers transporting more than 100 pounds of marijuana. Publ.Date : Tue, 15 May 2012 04:48:24 -0700 Drug agents: 4 charged in group shipping marijuana from Texas to Alabama and Tennessee The arrests of four Birmingham-area people followed the seizure of 270 pounds of marijuana in Alabama and Tennessee on Monday Publ.Date : Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:20:53 -0700 Anti-drug bill is part of Legislative package Attorney General Luther Strange praised the Alabama Legislature for its passage of legislation to ban synthetic drugs. Senate Bill 208 and House Bill 158, often referred to as the “spice” bill, are among the bills in a legislative package advocated by Attorney General Strange. Publ.Date : Thu, 17 May 2012 11:27:13 -0700 Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley has July 31 court date Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley has a July 31st court date set for his 2nd-degree marijuana possession charge. Publ.Date : Mon, 14 May 2012 13:48:19 -0700 Profile-Video-NK-Corporate-Houston Limousine Rental-Clinics-Click-FHA Loans-refinance-consultations.com-save on electric-neil-Article-How To Add RSS Feed To Your Website-RSS Feeds-fharequirement.com-financingmortgages.net-homefha.net-homeloanfha.net-lenderfha.net-lendermortgages.org-lendingarbor.com-lendingrates.org-loansfha.org-loansva.org-loanva.org helpforhomeowners.org voyagemortgageloans.com