Thread: Charlotte is a hub for heroin trade

Charlotte is a hub for heroin trade

Mexican drug traffickers distribute 'black tar'; seizures have increased 233% since 2005



THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: April 6, 2009

CHARLOTTE

Charlotte has become a key distribution point for Mexican drug traffickers selling "black tar" heroin in North Carolina, with seizures increasing, authorities say.

The U.S. Justice Department's 2009 assessment of drug threats identified Charlotte as one of 230 cities where Mexican traffickers "maintain drug distribution networks" to sell cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines and heroin.

John Emerson, assistant special agent in charge for the North Carolina bureau of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration would not disclose how many Mexican cells operate in Charlotte other than to say "multiple."

Black tar heroin starts with opium from poppy plants grown in western Mexico. The opium is chemically converted into black tar, with a color and consistency of warm, chewy chocolate that results from crude processing methods. It can be smoked in a glass pipe or melted, then injected.

Since 2005, heroin seizures in Charlotte have increased from 214 grams to 714 grams, or 233 percent. A little under a 10th of a gram is considered a single dose.

Statewide, seizures increased 77 percent last year, the DEA said.

In the past two years, authorities have shut down at least three cells in Charlotte. In September 2007, seven men were arrested in the garage of a Charlotte house. Authorities seized $114,000 and 24,000 doses of heroin.

In an investigation called "Operation Black Gold Rush," authorities arrested a 27-year-old man for leading 13 people in a black tar ring in Charlotte. Authorities said the group also was active in South Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, California, Ohio and Arizona.

Last year, Israel Hernandez, 21, was arrested, accused of running a nearly million-dollar business. Authorities said the organization prepared black tar and dispatched couriers to deliver it to suburban customers waiting outside public places.

"This activity took place seven days a week and ranged from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.," James Long, of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police vice and narcotics unit, said in an affidavit.

Hernandez, who was found to be in the country illegally, faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances.

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009 ... ews-local/

Reader Comments

Posted by ( theyellowjacket ) on 04/06/2009 at 06:09 am.

i didn't know druggies had normal business hours.i guess they want a normal life too. SHEESH! we need to run these guys out of north carolina.. but how?

Posted by ( k12 ) on 04/06/2009 at 09:47 am.

Try entering any other country illegally, conspiring to run a continuing criminal enterprise, and then running illegal durgs and see what happens. This is the scum of the earth we are allowing to enter our country unchecked and they laugh at us,our country, and our laws all the way to the bank. Until we start shooting them at the border this will continue. (And this will continue because America has become a bunch of gutless politically correct pansies!!!)

Posted by ( rebeldame ) on 04/06/2009 at 10:31 am.

Now, now...I'm SURE this young man was in this country, even though illegally, only trying to make a better life for himself and his family. And, he was probably just doing a job some silly American wouldn't do. And don't forget - if it weren't for Americas DEMAND of these illegal drugs, the illegals wouldn't have a market....(Sorry, hadn't seen a liberal response yet - figured I'd try to keep the postings fair and balanced).

Come on, the drug dealers are only trying to have a better life
(Sarcasm)!

This is the same stupid rhetoric that illegals advocates use to excuse the fact that illegals have violated the laws of our country.

Story on subject already posted here:

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-152358.html

No wonder there are so many fine upstanding Hispanics (that don't speak English) driving Cadillac Escalades and brand new Mercedes to the local grocery store (where few speak English). Male customers always pay in cash and women usually in food stamps while four or five screaming anchor babies hang onto them. And I also have to wonder about the well-painted younger women that come to the store in skin-tight jeans and six-inch heels. I would not be surprised about anything.

No wonder there are so many fine upstanding Hispanics (that don't speak English) driving Cadillac Escalades and brand new Mercedes to the local grocery store (where few speak English). Male customers always pay in cash and women usually in food stamps while four or five screaming anchor babies hang onto them. And I also have to wonder about the well-painted younger women that come to the store in skin-tight jeans and six-inch heels. I would not be surprised about anything.

LOL......one does wonder when it seems to be across the board. No tomatoe picking going on there!!!!!

That is a huge increase.......sometimes I wonder if it's all us demanding or them expanding their business, creating the demand.