Posts: 1,779
Threads: 73
Joined: Aug 2006
According to the map at the site below, Hilo and Kona are among the many places in the USA where the violent Mexican-based 'drug cartels' have "presence".
Anybody got any insight?
(Serious responses only, please.)
http://www.npr.org/news/graphics/2009/ma...index.html
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
Posts: 1,581
Threads: 26
Joined: Jun 2007
Wouldn't surprise me at all. Where ever there are drugs, they will be there. Just like the many other violent gangs that are showing up in the State, they go where the money can be made. What makes them so dangerous is the profiling base on the word "Mexican". Many Americans think that it’s a bunch of dark skin, black hair, Spanish speaking hoodlums. Reality is their US operation is predominantly Americans from all colors and nationalities. The leaders may be all Mexican and Central Americans, but the operation is local people from a community. They are also a corporate paramilitary operation. And unfortunately, their US operation is fueled and funded by US dollars.
Posts: 1,955
Threads: 100
Joined: Aug 2005
last figures i saw was that 90% of the methamphetamine ( ice ) came from "Mexican National" clan labs
Posts: 990
Threads: 22
Joined: Dec 2007
They got their foothold back when Green harvest started, trading black heroin for buds, growers were scared to ship it.
The fronts were small businesses and ag labor.
Gordon J Tilley
Posts: 27
Threads: 13
Joined: Feb 2006
Interesting, I always thought japan's yakuza or the boryokudan were the major players in hawaii's illegal drug trade.
Posts: 990
Threads: 22
Joined: Dec 2007
They started the real Ice epidemic with smokable true Ice. The mainland was mostly using crank, bennies etc. Ice was from Asia, and it too came here right after green harvest.
Gordon J Tilley
Posts: 2,312
Threads: 59
Joined: Jun 2003
The previous(?) owners of Tacos El Unico in Kona have been selling more than enchiladas until they got busted. The stupid son of the owner was flashing his gold Rolex behind the counter to everybody.
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, GM,ARB,BFT,CM,CBR,FHS,PB,RB
808.989.1314
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"
Posts: 1,581
Threads: 26
Joined: Jun 2007
I don't think it could be 90%. If 60% is produced in the United States, 25% in Canada, 5% US Territories & Possessions, that leaves only 10% to be manufactured outside the US. Of course, since the Mexican connection is now the popular rally point about drugs and violence, it would be in the DEA and law enforcement's best interest to make that claim. The closes that can be said is that 90% of the Mega labs produced meth is from Mexico and that's because there are no Mega labs in the US, only Mexico and India.
Posts: 990
Threads: 22
Joined: Dec 2007
A Mexican resterant (upscsle) in Lahaina used a phone code "burrito", to mask the drug orders. The cops figured it out, as they didn't sell burritos!
Gordon J Tilley
Posts: 1,955
Threads: 100
Joined: Aug 2005
Mexican National means they were run by the cartels most were in so cal at the time, my info is a little dated this from when i was still on a hazmat team.
and i dont know who was running it but ive smelled at least 1 Nazi lab (east coast term for a production method) driving thru lower puna.
