Methamphetamine, both imported and domestically produced, is a principal drug of concern in the state of Kansas. Cocaine, particularly crack cocaine, is also readily available throughout the state, primarily in major urban areas such as Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita. In addition, Kansas is a transshipment point for drugs being transported to the eastern United States via Interstates 35 and 70 from the southwest border and west coast cities.

Cocaine: Cocaine is readily available throughout Kansas. The cocaine is transported from the West Coast via commercial airlines, motor vehicles, and mail services. Trafficking organizations, often with direct familial ties to Mexico, bring most of the cocaine into the state where much of it is converted into crack cocaine for retail distribution. A high level of violent crime is also associated with the drug. Many different ethnic groups are involved in the retail level distribution. The proceeds from the sales are often transported back to Mexico in the same vehicles used to bring the drugs into the state.

Heroin: Low-purity Mexican heroin is available in personal use quantities throughout the urban areas of Kansas. Most of the heroin seizures are of the black-tar type. In a special initiative during September 2001, two Domestic Monitor Program purchases were made in Kansas City, Kansas. The purchases were of Mexican origin, each having a purity of approximately 8%. Other recent seizures include a seizure of approximately 14 pounds of black-tar heroin, which was destined for St. Louis. The Kansas Highway Patrol is noting an increase in the interstate transportation of heroin through the state.

Kansas methamphetamine arrests Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine is the primary drug of concern in Kansas. Most of the methamphetamine in the state is smuggled in by Hispanic organizations via motor vehicles, commercial airlines, and mail delivery services. Large Mexican communities in Kansas provide an infrastructure to import and distribute the methamphetamine. Between 1994 and 1999, drug treatment admissions for meth in Kansas increased while admissions for heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and alcohol decreased. Local, small toxic laboratories continue to be a significant problem throughout Kansas. Laboratories in the Kansas City Metropolitan area use the red phosphorous method, while laboratories in other parts of Kansas use the Nazi method. Most of the meth laboratories in Kansas produce only ounce quantities at a time. Law enforcement man-hours and financial resources are being severely impacted by the number of laboratories and dumpsites.

Club Drugs: The state of Kansas is seeing an increase in the abuse of “club drugs,” such as MDMA (Ecstasy) and GHB. MDMA is found at rave parties in all parts of Kansas. Law enforcement in western Kansas reports that it is brought into the area from Denver, Colorado. Intelligence indicates that the drug is increasingly popular among young Asian gang members in Wichita. In August 2001, DEA Kansas City seized an operational MDMA laboratory and MDMA from a residence in Leawood, Kansas. In addition, methamphetamine and GHB laboratory equipment was seized. The MDMA laboratory was capable of producing thousands of dosage units of MDMA. GHB is also a drug of concern throughout the state. Officials in Barton County, in central Kansas, report GHB from Canada is available in the area.

Marijuana: Marijuana is readily available throughout Kansas. It is imported from Mexico through cities on the southwest border and transported in large shipments via the interstate highways through Dallas, Oklahoma City, and on to Kansas City. From Kansas City, the marijuana is further distributed to other cities in Kansas and other states. Domestically produced marijuana is available throughout the state, but the imported marijuana from Mexico dominates the market. Law enforcement officials in Lawrence, Kansas, just west of Kansas City, are reporting a large influx of high purity “BC Bud” marijuana from Canada.
Other Drugs: PCP is available primarily in the Kansas City Metropolitan area. The PCP is delivered via parcel services from traffickers based in California. DEA Kansas City continues to coordinate the multi-division investigation of a large LSD laboratory discovered in Wamego, Kansas, in November 2000. Kansas treatment centers are reporting that many of their new clients are seeking treatment for Oxycontin addiction. Lawrence, Kansas, reports that it is the most abused pharmaceutical drug in the area and is available for $40 a tablet.

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. There has been one Mobile Enforcement Team (MET) deployment in the State of Kansas since the inception of the program. The MET deployment to Topeka, Kansas, resulted in 18 arrests and the seizure of 2.3 pounds of cocaine, 2.7 pounds of crack cocaine, 75.9 pounds of marijuana, .1 pound of Percocet, and 9.8 pounds of methamphetamine. Also seized were 6 weapons, 9 vehicles, and over $108,000 in U.S. currency.

Special Topics: During 2001, there were 75 Operation Pipeline interdictions reported to EPIC in the state of Kansas, leading to the seizure of nearly 100 kilograms of cocaine, over 4,500 pounds of marijuana, six kilograms of methamphetamine and nearly $3 million dollars.