A-2007-232 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

ATTACHMENT A primarily operated by Mexican criminal groups, particularly in California, have had to adapt in an attempt to decrease the risk of detection from sustained, intense law enforcement pressure. 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 and trafficking The Orange County area 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 have 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, trailers, and commercial establishments. Methamphetamine itself presents a significant problem to the County of Orange. Methamphetamine was the number one drug investigated by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in 2006. Methamphetamine critical incidents in Orange County as reported by law enforcement agencies to the Los Angeles Clearinghouse increased approximately 43.5% from 925 incidents in 2005 to 1,327 in 2006. These critical incidents reflect the type of law enforcement activity that agencies, both within Orange County and agencies from other counties (local, state, and federal), conducted in Orange County. These incidents include buylbust operations, knock & talks, search warrants, etc. The PROACT Task Force is a collaborative effort involving the Orange County Sheriff's 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. 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 and essential chemicals necessary to manufacture this poison. The PROACT Task Force is well aware of the importance of controlling the chemical flow necessary to produce methamphetamine. The task force is working with local suppliers to mitigate and control the flow of these chemicals to methamphetamine lab operators. Goal: 2007-DJ-BX-0523 Page 2 of 19