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Drug Trends Mississippi
Club Drugs
Both LSD and MDMA are being distributed and used in and around local nightclubs,
at rave parties, and on college campuses. MDMA seizures have increased significantly
since 1998. MDMA has become the most prevalent and popular of the "club"
or "designer" drugs in Mississippi. GHB, Rohypnol and Ketamine are
not currently known to be widely used or popular. LSD found in Mississippi normally
comes from California. MDMA found in Mississippi is primarily from sources in
California, New York, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Cocaine
Cocaine is widely used and trafficked throughout Mississippi. Cocaine, in both
powder-form "HCl" and base-form "crack," is the most problematic
drug for communities and law enforcement in Mississippi. There is often a direct
connection between the use and/or sale of cocaine and crime, especially violent
crime. In Mississippi, cocaine is being illicitly trafficked and used by people
from all racial and socioeconomic groups throughout the state's 82 counties.
Cocaine base, "crack" cocaine, is still the drug of choice among users
and traffickers in the African-American population in both urban and rural areas
of Mississippi. Unique to the Mississippi Gulf Coast counties of Hancock, Harrison,
and Jackson are Vietnamese gangs involved in drug trafficking. These Vietnamese
gangs, primarily operating in the Biloxi area, are heavily involved in the distribution
of powder cocaine and the club drug ecstasy. The primary cocaine sources for
these Vietnamese dealers are located in Texas and California. Vietnamese dealers
are known to supply some of the African-American dealers with powder cocaine
which is then converted "cooked" into crack-cocaine for local sale.
Mexican traffickers are loosely organized in Mississippi but are believed to
be associated with large Mexican gangs operating in Memphis, Tennessee. Overall,
the Mexican population in Mississippi is steadily growing and Mexican drug trafficking
groups are increasing in the rural, agricultural areas of the state.
Heroin
Heroin continues to be a rare commodity in the state of Mississippi, according
to reports from several local and state agencies. Most of the state's heroin
seizures come from users, although there have been cases where heroin has been
seized from local independent dealers. These dealers have only had small amounts
in their possession. Heroin, seen in central and southern Mississippi is believed
to have come from Texas and New Orleans, while the northern part of the state
is getting its heroin from the Memphis, TN area. Seizure figures indicate Mexican
Brown (Black Tar) is the most popular type of heroin found throughout the state,
however, South American white heroin has been seen in some areas.
Marijuana
Large quantities of Mexican marijuana are transported from Texas through Mississippi
on Interstates 10, 12, and 55 destined for larger cities in the Northeastern
and Southeastern United States. Couriers in pick-up trucks, vans, tractor-trailers
and buses transport the marijuana in 50, 100 and 200 pound quantities in concealed
compartments. Proceeds from the drug sales are returned in the same manner.
Domestically cultivated marijuana is available throughout Northern Mississippi
in patches of four to five plants in and around dense vegetation on United States
forestry land and around area lakes. Marijuana is trafficked and used by all
ethnic and socioeconomic groups in Mississippi, often along with or after the
use of cocaine and methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine
The manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine is one of the fastest growing
drug problems in Mississippi. Methamphetamine brought in from other areas of
the United States and across borders. Methamphetamine use in Mississippi is
rampant. Virtually unheard of four years ago or found only in the trucking community,
methamphetamine is now approaching epidemic proportions in the state. Not only
has methamphetamine use and abuse impacted the law enforcement community, Mississippi
farmers, and local merchants, but also the drug treatment centers have been
affected by rising admissions. According to professionals working in the drug
treatment centers, methamphetamine abuse was first seen approximately five years
ago with a significant increase occurring within the past three years. The need
for treatment is enormous. Initially, methamphetamine availability was concentrated
in the far northern counties of Mississippi; however, several factors quickly
contributed to the spread of the problem throughout northern Mississippi. Bridges
at Greenville; Washington County, Mississippi; Helena, Arkansas; Coahoma County,
Mississippi; and Memphis, Tennessee provide direct access to the states of Arkansas,
Missouri and Tennessee. These states have had a tremendous problem with the
manufacture of methamphetamine, which led to tougher laws and more enforcement
in those states. That pressure pushed manufacturers into northern Mississippi
because of the ample supply of anhydrous ammonia and the need for less pressure
from law enforcement. The crystalline form of methamphetamine, known as "ice",
"glass", or "crystal," is gaining popularity. This crystal
methamphetamine reportedly came from either California or Texas, and was transported
to the area by transport trucks. The violators referred to the methamphetamine
as "Chrome". The theft of precursor chemicals has increased greatly.
The majority of merchants are cooperating with law enforcement by limiting access
to the number of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine tablets that can be purchased
as well as other items needed to manufacture methamphetamine. Because of their
cooperation, however, shoplifting has increased.
In-state methamphetamine production is becoming a significant issue in Mississippi.
EPIC statistics reported 229 laboratories seized in CY 2002 compared to 28 laboratories
in CY 2003 to date.
Mississippi Drug and Alcohol NewsMississippi Bureau of Narcotics Bust Nets Drugs, Cars, Boat, Cash
A big coup for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics. Agents made a major bust Monday,
uncovering drugs and hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Julius Corvin, 64, described by MBN as a significant distributor of methamphetamine
in central Mississippi, is now under arrest, his vehicles in Mississippi Bureau
of Narcotics custody.
Monday morning, narcotics agents surprised Corvin after an on-going investigation.
They caught up with him on Interstate 20 at the Pearl exit as he was heading
out of town.
"He was en route to do some illegal drug business in the state of Alabama.
We found the meth-amphetamines in the Trans-am. It was hidden under the hood,"
said MBN Director Frank Melton.
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics officers confiscated the Trans-am and other
vehicles from Corvin's residence on Whitehaven Drive in South Jackson.
"We will confiscate all eleven of his automobiles, a trailer, a brand
new speed boat and several hundred thousand dollars in cash, in which we will
take to a bank and have a local banker count it for us," said Melton.
Monday evening they did just that, and drug sniffing dogs were used to see
if there's anything else that needed confiscating. Melton says Corvin is dangerous.
He was convicted of murder in Texas.
Corvin was taken to the Rankin County jail.
Also Monday afternoon Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents and the Pearl
Police Department stopped a suspect on Interstate 20 and Highway 49 and confiscated
about a half million dollars in cash.
Melton says the driver was coming from Tchula, Mexico.
"I don't think they found any drugs, just a substantial amount of cash.
The way we interpret that is he was en route to purchase the drugs with the
cash," said Melton.
Melton says the Pearl Police Department asked the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
to help them with the interdiction.
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