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organizations control "super labs" and produce the maJonty of methamphetamine available throughout the United States. Mexican criminal organizations control most mid-level and retail methamphetamine distribution in the Pacific, Southwest, and West Central regions of the United States, particularly California. Mexican midlevel distributors sometimes supply methamphetamine to outlaw motorcycle groups and Hispanic gangs for retail distribution throughout the region. The state of California is plagued with hundreds of clandestine laboratories that manufacture methamphetamine. As a result of its close proximity to Mexico, California remains the primary source for methamphetamine production. Orange County is one of the primary distribution hubs utilized by Mexican drug trafficking organizations to ship methamphetamine to other parts of the United States. The second source for methamphetamine comes from small toxic labs, which supplement the supply of methamphetamine in the United States. Methamphetamine and clandestine laboratories within the urban areas of Orange County are having a devastating impact on both society and law enforcement. Methamphetamine labs can be set up virtually anywhere and are often found in private residences, motel and hotel rooms, apartments, house trailers, houseboats, and commercial establishments. Methamphetamine itself possesses a significant problem to the County of Orange. In 2005, there were 925 methamphetamine critical incidents reported in Orange County, and methamphetamine was the number one drug investigated by law enforcement agencies. These critical incidents reflect the type of enforcement activity that law enforcement agencies (local, state and federal) conducted in Orange County, such as buylbust operations, knock & talks and search warrants. The PROACT Task Force is a collaborative effort involving the Orange' County Sheriffs Department, local law enforcement agencies throughout the County of Orange, the District Attorney's office, Orange County Probation, and the California Department of Justice (Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement). PROACT will enhance the existing efforts of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement's (BNE) Clandestine Laboratory Program with interdiction and eradication of all methamphetamine labs. The eradication of methamphetamine labs can range from the small "stove top" labs to the large "super labs" capable of multi-pound quantities of finished product. Methamphetamine continues to take a terrible toll on this county. To combat this poison, the PROACT Task Force is attacking methamphetamine on all fronts. Our enforcement efforts are focused not only on the methamphetamine production and trafficking organizations distributing this drug, but also on those involved in providing the precursor chemicals necessary to manufacture this poison. The PROACT Task Force is well aware of the importance of controlling the precursor chemicals necessary to produce methamphetamine, and is working with local suppliers to mitigate and control the flow of these chemicals to methamphetamine lab operators. 2006-F0734-CA-DJ Page 2 of 10