Drugs in the United States: Oklahoma

Cocaine: Cocaine continues to be readily available throughout Oklahoma. The cocaine is transported from Texas and Mexico via commercial airlines and motor vehicles. Mexican polydrug traffickers dealing in marijuana and methamphetamine bring some of the cocaine into the state. Much of the cocaine HCl is converted into crack cocaine for sale at the retail level. Cocaine is distributed primarily by Mexican and African American traffickers. The majority of the cocaine purchased in the Oklahoma City area is transported in by local suppliers who travel to large cities in Texas and return to distribute the product.

Heroin: Black Tar heroin is available in limited quantities near the metropolitan areas in Oklahoma. It is rare to encounter brown or white heroin, though in rare instances, “white” heroin from Colombia has been seen. Demand for heroin has declined in recent years. The majority of heroin traffickers in Oklahoma receive their heroin from Mexico. Most of the heroin transported into Oklahoma is concealed in hidden compartments in passenger vehicles.

Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is the primary drug of choice in Oklahoma. Caucasian males and females are equally the primary users. Most of the methamphetamine in the state is brought in by Hispanic organizations via motor vehicles, commercial airlines, and mail delivery services. Local, small “mom and pop” laboratories continue to be a significant problem throughout Oklahoma. About 30% of local laboratories use the “Nazi” method and produce only ounce quantities or less at a time. Two “super labs,” capable of producing 20-40 pounds of methamphetamine at a time, were seized over the last two years.

Club Drugs: The state of Oklahoma is seeing an increase in the abuse of “club drugs,” such as MDMA and GHB. MDMA is found at rave parties in eastern and central Oklahoma. The amount of MDMA seized in Oklahoma and analyzed by DEA laboratories increased from 6 dosage units in CY2000 to 2,657 dosage units in CY2001. The majority of the MDMA found in Oklahoma comes from the West Coast, Nevada and Texas. A small number of seizures have involved MDMA originating in Canada.

Marijuana: Marijuana is readily available in all areas of Oklahoma, and is the main illegal drug of abuse in the state. Marijuana imported from Mexico is prevalent and is usually imported in combination with other illegal drugs being transported to Oklahoma and other states north and east. The majority of the marijuana is smuggled from the southwest border via passenger vehicle and occasionally in freight vehicles. Mexican “Sensimilla,” usually found in pressed/brick form, is the most common type of marijuana seen in Oklahoma, particularly in urban areas. Domestically produced marijuana is also available in Oklahoma, though not as readily in recent years. Oklahoma, along with several other southern states, has endured severe drought conditions over the past three years, affecting the local production of marijuana. Marijuana Legislation: In April 2002, a law permitting enforcement officials to spray wild marijuana with glyphosate (Round Up) was passed despite controversy about health concerns for local farm animals and crops. For the past several years, there have been attempts to introduce legislation regarding the medicinal use of marijuana and the production of hemp. The legislation has always failed to make it out of committee.

Other Drugs: The most popular pharmaceutical substances abused in Oklahoma are Vicodin, Lortab, propoxyphene, alprazolam, hydrocodone, Ultram, diazepam, Hycodan, Demerol, Dilaudid, and Percodan. Much of the diversion is through fraudulent prescriptions, doctor shopping, pharmacy break-ins, and hospital thefts. Oxycontin is also increasing as a pharmaceutical drug of abuse in Oklahoma.

DEA Mobile Enforcement Teams: This cooperative program with state and local law enforcement counterparts was conceived in 1995 in response to the overwhelming problem of drug-related violent crime in towns and cities across the nation. There have been 359 deployments completed resulting in over 14,456 arrests of violent drug criminals as of April 1, 2002.