Federal Drug Arrest 1

Exercise #3

Federal Drug Arrest and Seizures by type of drug 1990 -2008

Miles D. Robinson Jr.

SOWK 300-01

Tuskegee University

February 6, 2010
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Magnitude of the Problem – Figure 1

Federal Arrests by Drug

methamphetamine
11%
Heroin
9%

Marijuana
24%

Cocaine
56%

Descriptive Discussion

The above graph shows the percentage of Arrests made by the DEA in the United States with
Cocaine leading at 56%. Heroin is the lowest but one of the stronger drugs with 9 % .
Methamphetamine which is probably the strongest drug but next to last in arrests with 11%.
Marijuana which is probably the most popular drug came out in second with 24%.

Interpretive Discussion

Cocaine is probably the most lucrative drug on the street which makes it lead in arrests.
Marijuana is probably the most popular drug found all around the nation. Methamphetamine
and heroin are the two strongest but only found in select areas.
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Scope of the Problem- Figure 2

Largest Seizure Percentage by State

Washington Montana Michigan New York

31% 32%

14%
23%

Descriptive Discussion

The graph above shows that Washington is the largest drug seizure state in the United States
with 64%. New York is Second with 31% . Michigan also makes he list with 14% of largest
seizures. And Montana Last with 14%, all on the Northern Front.

Interpretive Discussion

The U.S. Border Patrol has tripled its number of agents along the Canadian border. Canada is
one of the largest drug smuggling countries. Most of the Trafficking is done through those four
states on the above graph. Washington Being the Most Popular, is followed by New York,
Michigan and Montana. These state import drugs such as Cocaine, Marijuana, Ecstasy, Heroin,
and Methamphetamine.
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Changes in the problem- Figure 3

Federal Drug Seizures in Pounds

Cocaine Marijuana Heroin

2,611,802 3,293,736
2,410,131

1,704
483,353 3,341
3,898
3,729
235,890 Heroin
248,859 391,394
Marijuana
199,497
1990 Cocaine
2000
2005
2008

Descriptive Discussion

The above graph shows the increase and decreases of drugs found and seizure in the United
States. Marijuana ranges the most with 483,353 in 1990 to 3,293,736 in 2008. Cocaine Ranged
from 235,890 pounds seizure over the same time period. Heroin last with 1,704 to 3,729 from
1990-2008.

Interpretive Discussion

Over the past two Decades, the DEA has worked to cut down on drugs in the United States.
Seizing Almost nine million Pounds of marijuana over the past 18 years, the DEA is cracking
down. The managing of Cocaine and Heroin have stayed at a constant level.
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Disparities in the Problem- Figure 5

Arrests percentage by Race and Drug

White Black Hispanic

52%
49%

35%
31% 32%
28%
21% 23%
18%
15%
9% 10%

Cocaine marijuana Heroin Methamphetamine

Descriptive Discussion

The Above graph Displays the Percentage of Different Races that have been arrested for
possession of each drug. Whites Lead all accept arrests for cocaine with 31%. Black s just edge
out whites in the cocaine column and just falls shy with 49% in the marijuana column. Hispanics
are last in all columns ranging from 10% in Meth to 35% in marijuana.

Interpretive Discussion

Drugs seem to affect the White and Black communities the most.Cocaine and Marijuana Being
the two main Drugs has the heaviest impact on all Races. Cocaine is the most lucrative but
Marijuana is more debated than other drugs, so it becomes the one that has the most affect.
 Federal Drug Arrest 1

Most Federal Drug Arrest and Seizures are cases that takes time to examine and study the
suspects. Over that period of time, however long it may be, the officers get very familiar with
the suspect . Cocaine and Marijuana fall at the top of the charts when it goes into Arrests and
Seizures. African American Males are among those that are heavily affected by these drugs and
African American women don’t fall to far behind. Heroin and Methamphetamine are two of the
strongest drugs on the street but not found too many places in large quantities. The Northern
Border states are considerably the most popular trafficking state alongside Texas and California.

Most of the Trafficking is done through four states on the Northern border. Washington Being
the Most Popular, is followed by New York, Michigan and Montana. These state import drugs
such as Cocaine, Marijuana, Ecstasy, Heroin, and Methamphetamine. Over the past two
Decades, the DEA has worked to cut down on drugs in the United States. Seizing Almost nine
million Pounds of marijuana over the past 18 years, the DEA is cracking down. The managing of
Cocaine and Heroin have stayed at a constant level
Federal Drug Arrest 1