The trafficking and use of methamphetamine is the primary concern for law enforcement and public health officials in North Dakota.
At the present time, no single drug trafficking organization dominates the distribution of methamphetamine. Mexican poly-drug organizations have sources of supply in Mexico, California, and Washington, and transport methamphetamine into North Dakota via privately owned vehicles, Amtrak trains, and Greyhound buses. Smaller quantities of methamphetamine are mailed via U.S. mail and Federal Express. Mexico-based drug trafficking organizations dominate the transportation of marijuana from the Southwest Border to North Dakota. Private vehicles and commercial mail carriers are used to ship small quantities, ranging from five to ten pounds. Local cultivation of marijuana is done on a relatively small scale.
Cocaine: Cocaine is no longer the stimulant of choice - methamphetamine surpassed cocaine in the area several years ago. The Fargo Resident Office reports relatively few encounters with cocaine.
Heroin: Heroin distribution and use have not been a significant problem in North Dakota. Heroin trafficking is a low priority for law enforcement agencies in the state. Virtually all of the heroin encountered in North Dakota, mainly in Fargo, is black tar heroin from Mexico.
Methamphetamine: The methamphetamine threat in North Dakota is a two-pronged problem. First, large quantities of methamphetamine produced by Mexican organizations based in California and Washington are transported into and distributed throughout the state. Second, methamphetamine is produced in small, toxic laboratories that are capable of producing only a few ounces at a time. North Dakotaï¿½s State General Assembly passed legislation requiring that every individual who purchases a product containing pseudoephedrine must show photo identification. This legislation has resulted in a sharp decline in the local production of methamphetamine, and a sharp decline in thefts of anhydrous ammonia, commonly used in the "Birch" methamphetamine manufacturing method.
Marijuana: The presence of marijuana cultivated in Canada (both "B.C. Bud" and hydroponically generated) had increased dramatically. Canadian drug organizations from Vancouver and Manitoba use the wide North Dakota border with Canada to bring these types of marijuana into the United States; but with the bulk of the marijuana destined for areas outside of North Dakota. North Dakota State University (NDSU) is continuing its approval process to commercially grow HEMP, which may occur in 2009. A recent court ruling indicates that NDSU will have to follow DEAï¿½s rules and regulations of this action.
Prescription Drugs: Recent investigations indicate that diversion of hydrocodone products is taking place in North Dakota. Typical methods of diversion are illegal sale and distribution by health care professionals and workers, doctor shopping (going to a number of doctors to obtain prescriptions for a controlled pharmaceutical), forged prescriptions, and the Internet.