Threat Assessment
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program publishes a threat assessment on June 15th each year. The threat assessment is an annual analysis of drug trafficking and related activities in Oregon and Idaho. The primary purpose is to provide a basis for the development of the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program's counter-drug strategy by identifying and describing the organizations that engage in the manufacture, cultivation, importation, transportation, and/or distribution of illegal drugs or the diversion of prescription drugs in and through Oregon and Idaho.
A full-text report may be downloaded by clicking the button below.
2024 Threat Assessment Executive Summary
Oregon and Idaho HIDTA counties face challenges like those throughout the United States related to fentanyl availability, misuse, use disorder, and poisoning. During 2022 the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA region has experienced an increased rate of fatal and non-fatal overdose incidents as illicit fentanyl, analogs, and stimulants continue to flood the area. Methamphetamine remains a constant and significant threat in Idaho and Oregon with continued high availability, high purity, and low prices driving demand. The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA Information Sharing and Analytical Coordination Center (ISACC) predicts with high confidence that fentanyl and methamphetamine will continue to be the most significant drug threats in 2024.
The following further highlights the drug threats impacting the Oregon-Idaho HIDTA region:
Fentanyl has overtaken methamphetamine as the primary drug threat in Oregon and Idaho, seized by law enforcement agencies in counterfeit pills and increasingly in powder form. Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are increasingly found in drug samples submitted by law enforcement agencies to state and federal crime labs for analysis.
Methamphetamine continues to impact community livability and is present in over half of the drug-related deaths reported by OHA during 2021 and the first half of 2022, and present in over one-third of the drug-related overdose deaths reported by IDHW in 2021. Methamphetamine use also contributes to criminal activity including crimes against persons and property crimes in the HIDTA region.
Heroin availability and seizures have significantly decreased during the past year as the demand for and availability of fentanyl rises among opioid-dependent users and the opioid naïve.
Cocaine availability increased in the region as indicated by an increase in cocaine seizures by HIDTA initiatives as well as an increase in cocaine-related Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) investigations. Oregon and Idaho remain transit states for cocaine destined for Washington and Canada.
Oregon remains a source state for high-quality marijuana and extract products for the nation. Despite state efforts to regulate the legalized marijuana market, black and grey market products originating in Oregon continue to be seized in other parts of the country. Marijuana from Oregon continues to negatively affect communities outside of this HIDTA region, undermining the legal markets in many states including Oregon. Mexican and Chinese DTOs continue to impact illicit marijuana cultivation in Oregon. Environmental degradation and forced labor trafficking remain a concern to law enforcement and elected leaders throughout the state.
Illicit use and availability of diverted controlled prescription drugs (CPD) and designer drugs, such as dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) remains low in Oregon and Idaho and are not considered a significant threat based on law enforcement and public health reporting.
DTOs operating in Oregon and Idaho remain robust, with an average of 125 unique organizations investigated yearly. Multi-state DTOs continue to have the largest impact followed by locally operated and internationally connected DTOs. International DTOs are operationally connected to TCOs in Mexico and are responsible for sourcing fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. TCOs connected to China have increased their presence in large-scale marijuana cultivation and export.
DTOs and Money Laundering Organizations (MLO) in the region continue to utilize cash-intense businesses, such as stores, restaurants, and used car dealerships as the primary methods to transfer drug trafficking proceeds into legitimate funding streams. Bulk cash smuggling continues to be the primary method for transporting illicit proceeds throughout the region and internationally to TCOs operating in drug-source countries.
Xylazine has become a substance of concern throughout the United States. It has been identified in the illicit fentanyl supply in Oregon and Idaho and continues to be a topic of concern among public health and law enforcement professionals in the region. While xylazine is not currently a controlled substance, combining it with fentanyl exacerbates the life-saving measures associated with naloxone administration which is used to reverse opioid overdoses.