Crystal Tv Price

[Liese Hittson]

Crystalmethamphetamine is a colorless, odorless form of d-methamphetamine, a powerful stimulant. It resembles glass fragments or shiny blue-white "rocks" of various sizes. Street names for the drug include batu, crystal, glass, hiropon, ice, shabu, shards, Tina, ventana, and vidrio. Crystal methamphetamine and powdered methamphetamine both contain the same active chemical compound; however, crystal methamphetamine typically has a higher purity level and may produce longer-lasting, more intense physiological effects. In small doses crystal methamphetamine can heighten alertness, stimulate physical activity, and suppress appetite. Chronic abuse can cause psychotic and violent behavior characterized by intense paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and out-of-control rages.

Crystal methamphetamine often is compared to crack cocaine. The drugs produce similar physiological effects, are highly addictive, and typically are smoked using a glass pipe. Crystal methamphetamine also may be injected. Immediately after smoking or injecting crystal methamphetamine, abusers experience a brief, intense sensation, or rush, that is followed by a high that may last 12 hours or more. Crack cocaine abusers experience the same effects for only 20 to 30 minutes. Withdrawal symptoms associated with both crystal methamphetamine and crack cocaine include drug cravings, paranoia, and depression.

Crystal methamphetamine is produced using a "washing" technique that involves dissolving powdered d-methamphetamine in a solvent such as acetone or denatured alcohol. The mixture is allowed to evaporate, causing crystals to form around the edge of the container in which it is being mixed. Large crystals form when the solution evaporates at room temperature, and small crystals form when the solution evaporates in a cold environment such as a refrigerator or freezer. The crystals then are collected and dried, typically on a paper towel. The purity of the finished product varies depending on the amount of washing and the laboratory operator's level of experience.

Law enforcement personnel should exercise extreme caution when opening refrigerators and freezers found at crystal methamphetamine production sites. The vapors from the solvents used to convert powdered methamphetamine to crystal methamphetamine are extremely volatile and can accumulate in a refrigerator or freezer during the evaporation process. These vapors may explode when the appliance's inside light activates as the door is opened. Law enforcement personnel should immediately unplug all refrigerators and freezers found at crystal methamphetamine laboratories to avoid this risk.

Crystal methamphetamine production and distribution traditionally have been associated with Asian criminal groups. These groups either produce the drug in the United States or smuggle it into the country from laboratory sites located in countries such as China, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan. Since the mid-1990s Mexican DTOs and criminal groups have supplied powdered methamphetamine to Asian criminal groups in Hawaii and on the West Coast for conversion to crystal methamphetamine. Mexican DTOs and criminal groups now produce crystal methamphetamine in Mexico, California, and southwestern states and use their established transportation networks to distribute the drug throughout the United States.

Crystal methamphetamine was once available only in Asian American communitiesin Hawaii and to a lesser extent on the West Coast; however, the drug is nowavailable in other communities and areas of the United States. Law enforcementofficials attribute the increasing availability of crystal methamphetamine tothe involvement of Mexican DTOs and criminal groups in the production anddistribution of the drug, as well as to increasing Asian criminal group activityin other areas of the country. Further, DEA reports that Mexican DTOs andcriminal groups are producing and selling crystal methamphetamine forsignificantly less than rival Asian criminal groups.

The purity of crystal methamphetamine generally is much higher than powdered methamphetamine, and crystal methamphetamine typically commands a higher price.Nationwide, the cost of 1-pound quantities of crystal methamphetamine rangesfrom $10,000 to $30,000, compared with $3,500 to $20,000 for powderedmethamphetamine. The DEA Southwest Laboratory reports that the purity ofpowdered methamphetamine samples from Arizona, California, and Nevada averages35 percent; however, it is not uncommon for the purity of crystalmethamphetamine samples to exceed 90 percent.

Arizona. According to the Peoria Police Department, the predominant drugproblem in its jurisdiction is crystal methamphetamine, known there as shards.Crystal methamphetamine sells for approximately $8,000 per pound in the Phoenixarea, which includes the city of Peoria. The DEA Phoenix Division reports thatin its jurisdiction crystal methamphetamine, known as glass in Phoenix,typically is produced by independent Caucasian producers who operate small-scalelaboratories that are capable of producing 1 ounce or less of the drug perproduction cycle.

California. During the first quarter of FY2002, law enforcementauthorities dismantled two separate organizations distributing multipoundquantities of methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine in the San FranciscoBay Area. Most of the methamphetamine seized in those incidents exceeded 95percent purity. In a separate incident the San Francisco Metropolitan TaskForce, with the assistance of the San Francisco Police Department, seizedapproximately 3 pounds of crystal methamphetamine with a purity of 98 percent.According to the DEA Western Regional Laboratory, the cleanliness and purity ofthe methamphetamine seized had not been seen for some time. It is unknownwhether the methamphetamine was domestic- or foreign-produced, although severaltraffickers in the Bay Area appear to have mastered the process of washingmethamphetamine to produce high purity crystal methamphetamine. According toDEA, 1 pound of crystal methamphetamine (known in that area as ice) sold for$13,500 to $18,000 in the San Francisco area in the second quarter of FY2002.

As a cutting agent for methamphetamine, MSM offers many advantages. Pure MSMis an odorless, white, crystalline powder that is highly soluble and mixesreadily with most substances without leaving a residue. MSM usually is added tomethamphetamine during the final stages of production. Methamphetamine cut withMSM often appears to be uncut because after the chemicals are combined and themixture cools, the MSM recrystallizes, resembling pure methamphetamine.

MSM distributors claim the substance is beneficial as a pain reliever and foranimal and human connective tissue regeneration. Other alleged benefits for bothanimals and humans include the reduction of inhalant allergen reactions; relieffrom the symptoms of lung dysfunction; relief of leg and back cramps, musclespasms, and general soreness; improved overall health; and elevated mood. MSM isreadily available in powder and tablet forms at livestock feed and equine tackstores, "super" pet food chains, warehouse stores, human nutritioncenters, and upscale grocery stores. MSM is available through mail order equineand veterinary supply catalogs and on numerous Internet sites.

According to the DEA Oakland Resident Office, the majority of methamphetamineinvestigations in its jurisdiction involve crystal methamphetamine. In thesecond quarter of FY2002, there were two large crystal methamphetamine seizuresin the Oakland area. In one incident DEA agents seized approximately 3 pounds ofcrystal methamphetamine and 1 pound of MSM, which was being used as a cuttingagent. In a separate incident the Oakland police seized approximately 2 poundsof crystal methamphetamine at a Hayward home. In that incident an estimated$50,000 worth of the drug was distributed on a weekly basis. According to lawenforcement sources in southern Alameda County, Filipino and other AsianAmerican traffickers are involved in the production and sale of crystalmethamphetamine in their jurisdictions.

According to the Central Valley HIDTA, crystal methamphetamine production andabuse appear to be increasing in the middle valley. Filipino and Hawaiian drugtraffickers are the primary groups responsible for methamphetamine production inthe Central Valley (San Joaquin) region. According to the Central Valley HIDTA,in November 2001 a total of 7.5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine was seized inthe area around Hanford in Kings County. During 2001 the Central Valley HIDTAtask forces seized three crystal methamphetamine laboratories in the southernvalley. In 2001 crystal methamphetamine sold for $12,000 to $15,000 per pound.According to the HIDTA, as a marketing ploy food coloring occasionally is addedduring the crystallization process, turning the methamphetamine black;"black ice" is supposedly more potent.

The DEA Los Angeles Division reports that crystal methamphetamine is readilyavailable in the Los Angeles area, and availability is concentratedpredominately in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Hispanic criminal groupsand gangs continue to emerge as the dominant crystal methamphetaminedistributors in its jurisdiction. These groups sell high purity crystalmethamphetamine for significantly less than rival Asian groups. DEA reports thatthe Los Angeles area is the source of supply for the majority of crystalmethamphetamine distributed in Hawaii. On October 11, 2001, agents from the DEALos Angeles Division seized 7 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in Van Nuys. Thedrugs were concealed in seven 1-pound bags in a water cooler. On December 4,2001, 499 grams were seized in South Gate. On August 8, 2002, DEA announced thatmore than 57 individuals in Southern California were arrested in connection witha 2-year investigation involving the production and distribution ofmethamphetamine, distribution of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, knownas ecstasy), and drug money laundering. During the course of the investigation,over 33 pounds of methamphetamine, 8 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 196gallons of methamphetamine oil, and 100 pounds of pseudo-ephedrine were seized,as were weapons, currency, vehicles, and 30,000 MDMA tablets.

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