NCJ Number
126914
Date Published
1990
Length
121 pages
Annotation
This statewide assessment of drug trafficking and availability in New York includes a statewide overview, overviews of the State's five regions, and county summarizes for each region.
Abstract
Law enforcement data on local drug trafficking, trends, and availability were compiled to determine overall trafficking and availability patterns. Two statewide trends overshadow the others. First, the widespread availability of cocaine throughout the State is caused by a second significant trend: the increasing organization of the cocaine trade in upstate markets. Over the last few years, cocaine availability has spread to all parts of the State, including rural and isolated areas where cocaine was not previously available. Also, the price of cocaine fell across the State over the last few years. Previously, almost all of the drug sellers outside metropolitan New York City were independent operators who obtained drugs at or around New York City. The supply was limited because the independent dealer could not usually afford to buy a large supply at any one time. Within the last 3 to 4 years, however, several organized trafficking groups have emerged in upstate communities. Most of the groups are directly connected to cocaine sources in New York City and are able to bring multi-kilograms upstate regularly.