Pubdate: Mon, 07 Jan 2008
Source: Daily Journal, The (Vineland, NJ)
Copyright: 2008 Daily Journal
Contact:  http://www.thedailyjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2250
Author: James P. Quaranta
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)

POLICE: COCAINE SUPPLY HAS FALLEN

A recent crackdown by Mexican officials on drug  traffickers has
resulted in a shortage of cocaine in  the U.S. that's had an apparent
ripple effect in the  Cumberland County area, officials say.

Rising use of other illegal drugs, and even the  presence of imitation
narcotics, are possible results.

Narcotics officers assigned to the Cumberland County  Organized Crime
Unit report increased incidents  involving crack cocaine, a derivative
of cocaine along  with other drugs, Prosecutor Ronald J. Casella said.

"Crack cocaine is manufactured from cocaine and does  not require as
much product," he said. "We're also  seeing people turning to other
drugs such as  methamphetamines, something we have not seen for some
time."

Casella was unable to provide street-level prices for  cocaine sold
locally. But he said a kilogram of cocaine  that sold for $18,000 last
year in the northeast part  of the country now goes for between
$25,000 and  $30,000.

"In New York (it's) more like $32,000," the prosecutor
said.

The federal Drug Enforcement Administration reported  that a gram of
pure cocaine went from $95.89 in April  to $118.70 in June, an
increase of 24 percent.

"Even with increased prices, it seems that users will  find a way to
finance their habit," Casella said. "This  sometimes involves burglary
and theft along with other  criminal activity."

In Millville, two narcotics officers are assigned to  the Neighborhood
Crime Prevention Unit.

"Street-level prices seem to remain constant,"  Millville police Capt.
Ed Grennon said, "but there  might be an increase higher up the chain."

Grennon said his officers have detected an increase in  fake or
imitation narcotics that could be tied to a  shortage. The majority of
Millville's arrests involve  crack cocaine, he said.

In Vineland, Lt. Tom Ulrich said detectives are mainly  in contact
with three types of drug users and sellers.

"Most of our arrests involve crack cocaine, heroin and  marijuana," he
said. "In recent months there has been a  slight price increase that
could be related to supply  and demand."
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