BULLETIN INFORMATION

AUGUST 2002

Product No. 2002-L0424-005

U. S. D E P A R T M E N T O F J U S T I C E

High purity crystal methamphetamine, commonly

known as ice or glass, is becoming increasingly

available in the United States. Asian criminal groups

that traditionally distributed crystal methamphetamine

in Hawaii and on the West Coast are now distributing

the drug in other areas of the country as well. Moreover, Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTOs)

and criminal groups are becoming increasingly involved in the production and distribution of crystal

methamphetamine, according to the Drug Enforcement

Administration (DEA) and many state and local law

enforcement officials.

Background

Crystal methamphetamine is a colorless,

odorless form of d-methamphetamine, a powerful

stimulant. It resembles glass fragments or shiny bluewhite “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.
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Crystal Methamphetamine

Risk of Explosion

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.

Source: Central Valley California High Intensity Drug Trafficking

Area (HIDTA).

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.

Availability

Crystal methamphetamine was once available

only in Asian American communities in Hawaii and to

a lesser extent on the West Coast; however, the drug

is now available in other communities and areas of

the United States. Law enforcement officials attribute

the increasing availability of crystal methamphetamine

to the involvement of Mexican DTOs and criminal

groups in the production and distribution of the drug,

as well as to increasing Asian criminal group activity

in other areas of the country. Further, DEA reports

that Mexican DTOs and criminal groups are

producing and selling crystal methamphetamine for

significantly 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 ranges from

$10,000 to $30,000, compared with $3,500 to

$20,000 for powdered methamphetamine. The DEA

Southwest Laboratory reports that the purity of

powdered methamphetamine samples from Arizona,

California, and Nevada averages 35 percent; however, it

is not uncommon for the purity of crystal methamphetamine samples to exceed 90 percent.

Arizona. According to the Peoria Police Department, the predominant drug problem in its jurisdiction

is crystal methamphetamine, known there as shards.

Crystal methamphetamine sells for approximately

$8,000 per pound in the Phoenix area, which includes

the city of Peoria. The DEA Phoenix Division reports

that in its jurisdiction crystal methamphetamine, known

as glass in Phoenix, typically is produced by independent Caucasian producers who operate small-scale

laboratories that are capable of producing 1 ounce or

less of the drug per production cycle.

California. During the first quarter of FY2002, law

enforcement authorities dismantled two separate organizations distributing multipound quantities of methamphetamine and crystal methamphetamine in the San Francisco

Bay Area. Most of the methamphetamine seized in those

incidents exceeded 95 percent purity. In a separate

incident the San Francisco Metropolitan Task Force,

 Quantity Powdered Crystal 

Pound $3,500–$20,000 $10,000–$30,000

Ounce $350–$3,000 $1,000–$3,000

Gram $20–$150 $100–$500

Source: DEA.

Table 1. Estimated U.S. Methamphetamine

Prices, Powdered and Crystal, June 2002
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National Drug Intelligence Center

with the assistance of the San Francisco Police Department, seized approximately 3 pounds of crystal methamphetamine with a purity of 98 percent. According to

the DEA Western Regional Laboratory, the cleanliness

and purity of the methamphetamine seized had not been

seen for some time. It is unknown whether the methamphetamine was domestic- or foreign-produced,

although several traffickers in the Bay Area appear to

have mastered the process of washing methamphetamine to produce high purity crystal methamphetamine.

According to DEA, 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.

MSM Used as a Cutting Agent

MSM, the common commercial name for the

chemical methylsulfonylmethane, also is known as

methylsulfone and dimethylsulfone (DMSO2

).

As a cutting agent for methamphetamine, MSM

offers many advantages. Pure MSM is an odorless, white, crystalline powder that is highly

soluble and mixes readily with most substances

without leaving a residue. MSM usually is added to

methamphetamine during the final stages of

production. Methamphetamine cut with MSM often

appears to be uncut because after the chemicals

are combined and the mixture cools, the MSM

recrystallizes, resembling pure methamphetamine.

MSM distributors claim the substance is beneficial

as a pain reliever and for animal and human

connective tissue regeneration. Other alleged

benefits for both animals and humans include the

reduction of inhalant allergen reactions; relief from

the symptoms of lung dysfunction; relief of leg and

back cramps, muscle spasms, and general

soreness; improved overall health; and elevated

mood. MSM is readily available in powder and

tablet forms at livestock feed and equine tack

stores, “super” pet food chains, warehouse stores,

human nutrition centers, and upscale grocery

stores. MSM is available through mail order equine

and veterinary supply catalogs and on numerous

Internet sites.

According to the DEA Oakland Resident Office,

the majority of methamphetamine investigations in its

jurisdiction involve crystal methamphetamine. In the

second quarter of FY2002, there were two large

crystal methamphetamine seizures in the Oakland area.

In one incident DEA agents seized approximately 3

pounds of crystal methamphetamine and 1 pound of

MSM, which was being used as a cutting agent. In a

separate incident the Oakland police seized approximately 2 pounds of 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 law enforcement sources in southern

Alameda County, Filipino and other Asian American

traffickers are involved in the production and sale of

crystal methamphetamine in their jurisdictions.

According to the Central Valley HIDTA, crystal

methamphetamine production and abuse appear to be

increasing in the middle valley. Filipino and Hawaiian

drug traffickers are the primary groups responsible for

methamphetamine production in the 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 in the area around

Hanford in Kings County. During 2001 the Central

Valley HIDTA task forces seized three crystal methamphetamine laboratories in the southern valley. 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 added during the

crystallization process, turning the methamphetamine

black; “black ice” is supposedly more potent.

The DEA Los Angeles Division reports that

crystal methamphetamine is readily available in the

Los Angeles area, and availability is concentrated

predominately in Riverside and San Bernardino

Counties. Hispanic criminal groups and gangs

continue to emerge as the dominant crystal methamphetamine distributors in its jurisdiction. These

groups sell high purity crystal methamphetamine for

significantly less than rival Asian groups. DEA

reports that the Los Angeles area is the source of

supply for the majority of crystal methamphetamine

distributed in Hawaii. On October 11, 2001, agents
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Crystal Methamphetamine

from the DEA Los Angeles Division seized 7 pounds

of crystal methamphetamine in Van Nuys. The drugs

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 that more than 57 individuals in Southern

California were arrested in connection with a 2-year

investigation involving the production and distribution

of methamphetamine, distribution of MDMA (3,4-

methylenedioxymethamphetamine, known as ecstasy),

and drug money laundering. During the course of the

investigation, over 33 pounds of methamphetamine, 8

pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 196 gallons of

methamphetamine oil, and 100 pounds of pseudoephedrine were seized, as were weapons, currency,

vehicles, and 30,000 MDMA tablets.

The Santa Ana Police Department reports

that Mexican criminal groups dominate the methamphetamine market in the city of Santa Ana and

sell both powdered and crystal methamphetamine. In

this area high purity crystal methamphetamine, known as

ice, sells for $10,000 to $13,000 per pound. Medium

purity crystal methamphetamine, known as glass, sells

for $5,000 to $8,000 per pound and is reported to be

the most popular form of methamphetamine distributed

in the city; it is smuggled into the area from Mexico.

Colorado. DEA as well as numerous state and

local task forces and police departments report that

the availability of crystal methamphetamine (known

as glass) has increased throughout Colorado.

Crystal methamphetamine sells for approximately

40 percent more than powdered methamphetamine

in Colorado, and it has become the form of methamphetamine that is most popular with abusers.

Florida. According to the DEA Miami Division, on November 27, 2001, agents seized 1

kilogram of crystal methamphetamine that was

delivered to a residence by a package delivery

service. The agents arrested three individuals and

seized 28 MDMA tablets and 8 vials of GHB

(gamma-hydroxybutyrate).

Georgia. According to the DEA Atlanta Division, there has been a large increase in the supply of

crystal methamphetamine available in Atlanta. Clubs in

downtown Atlanta are a focal point for the abuse of

crystal methamphetamine. One sample of crystal

methamphetamine tested 99.7 percent pure. In

February 2002 the Oklahoma Highway Patrol seized

42 pounds of methamphetamine destined for Atlanta.

One pound of the seized methamphetamine was tested

and found to be crystal methamphetamine.

Hawaii. In Hawaii, unlike other states, crystal

methamphetamine is the drug of choice and is more

commonly abused than powdered methamphetamine.

Crystal methamphetamine conversion laboratories

are more prevalent than production laboratories.

Mexican criminal groups have replaced traditional

Asian criminal groups as the primary transporters

and wholesale distributors of crystal methamphetamine in Hawaii. In the early 1990s law enforcement

authorities in Hawaii dismantled several large

Asian, primarily Korean, criminal groups that

dominated the transportation of crystal methamphetamine into Hawaii from Asia. Asian criminal groups

continue to transport and distribute some crystal

methamphetamine in Hawaii, but to a lesser extent.

Currently most of the crystal methamphetamine

available in Hawaii is transported into the state

already in crystal form. Mexican criminal groups

transport crystal methamphetamine from the West

Coast, primarily California, as well as from

Mexico. To a lesser extent, it is transported from

Asian sources via couriers on commercial aircraft.

Crystal methamphetamine also is produced in

Hawaii. Powdered methamphetamine is processed

through “conversion” or wash laboratories where it

is treated with acetone to produce crystal methamphetamine. These laboratories are found predominantly on the island of Oahu, but some have been

seized on the outer islands. According to 2000 data

from Operation Jetway—a nationwide interdiction

program that operates at airports, train stations, bus

stations, package shipment facilities, post offices,

and airport hotels and motels—in Hawaii there

were eight seizures of crystal methamphetamine
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National Drug Intelligence Center

totaling slightly more than 11 kilograms. According to

the Hawaii HIDTA Airport Task Force, more than 21

kilograms of crystal methamphetamine were seized at

the Honolulu International Airport from July 1999

through June 2000. According to DEA, crystal

methamphetamine sold for $30,000 in the first quarter

of FY2002, although inflated prices on the island of

Hawaii reached $45,000 to $70,000 per pound.

Illinois. The Chicago HIDTA reports that Asian

criminal groups now distribute crystal methamphetamine in the Chicago area. Crystal methamphetamine

is obtained from sources of supply in Asia and

smuggled by couriers aboard commercial airlines into

the area. Asian criminal groups also obtain powdered

methamphetamine from criminal groups composed of

Mexican nationals located on the West Coast, convert

the powder into crystal methamphetamine, and then

distribute it in the Chicago area.

Kansas. The DEA Kansas City District Office

reports that Mexican nationals are involved in the

distribution of crystal methamphetamine in the area.

Law enforcement investigations have revealed ties

to methamphetamine laboratories operated by

Mexican nationals in Phoenix, Arizona, and Riverside, California. According to DEA, crystal methamphetamine sells for $18,000 per pound in the

Kansas City area.

Mississippi. According to the DEA New

Orleans Division, recently obtained information

indicates that crystal methamphetamine is being

sold in Hinds, Copiah, and Forrest Counties in

Mississippi. Crystal methamphetamine only recently has become common in Mississippi. It likely

is being transported from sources in California,

Texas, and Tennessee by private vehicle.

An ounce of crystal methamphetamine with a

purity level of 97 percent was seized in Jackson.

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics reported

that the crystal methamphetamine (known there as

ice) had been produced in California or Texas.

The Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics also has

encountered crystal methamphetamine in northeastern Mississippi.

Missouri. Increasingly, reports have been

received that crystal methamphetamine is being

distributed in Kansas City (MO). The Metro

Methamphetamine Drug Task Force in Kansas City

reported that a 16-year-old Caucasian female was

found unconscious in a Kansas City motel room

from an overdose of crystal methamphetamine.

Nebraska. According to the Omaha Police

Department and the Western Intelligence Narcotics

Group (WING) Drug Task Force in Scottsbluff, in

July 2002 two seizures of crystal methamphetamine

were made in Omaha and Hemingford. In one of the

seizures the crystal methamphetamine, which resembled shards of glass, had been mailed from

Phoenix, Arizona. In Nebraska crystal methamphetamine is known as ice.

Nevada. The DEA Las Vegas District Office

reports that crystal methamphetamine is available in its

jurisdiction in limited quantities, but demand for the drug

is increasing. Mexican criminal groups transport the

crystal methamphetamine from Southern California,

primarily Los Angeles, into Nevada. These criminal

groups also distribute the drug in the state. In Las Vegas

crystal methamphetamine sells for $10,000 to $12,000

per pound and $1,000 to $1,500 per ounce.

New Mexico. According to the FY2003 Southwest Border HIDTA report, some international

DTOs operating in New Mexico have production

cells in Mexico that produce methamphetamine;

however, the capabilities of these laboratories have

not been clearly reported. The HIDTA also reports

that a six-member criminal group in New Mexico

obtains crystal methamphetamine from California

and distributes it in gram quantities. The Lea County

Drug Task Force in Hobbs, New Mexico, reports that

officers have encountered crystal methamphetamine

from Los Angeles, California, in its jurisdiction. One

pound of crystal methamphetamine in Lea County sells

for $16,000—more than double the price for powdered methamphetamine. However, in Lincoln County,

narcotics officers report that crystal methamphetamine

(locally known as ice) is frequently available for sale at

nearly the same price as powdered methamphetamine.
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Crystal Methamphetamine

South Dakota. The South Dakota Division

of Criminal Investigation Drug Task Force reports

that Mexican criminal groups are now distributing

crystal methamphetamine in the state. Previously,

methamphetamine was available only in its powdered

form and was supplied by Mexican criminal groups

and local independent producers.

According to the South Dakota Division of

Criminal Investigation Drug Task Force, crystal

methamphetamine remains available in South Dakota.

A seizure of crystal methamphetamine was made in

Rapid City in October 2001. Mexican nationals

residing in Rapid City were transporting the crystal

methamphetamine from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Rapid

City, where it was being sold for $300 per eight ball

(one-eighth ounce).

Texas. According to the DEA Houston Division, crystal methamphetamine is being sold in

nightclubs in Houston and is abused by Asians and

African Americans. During a vehicle stop in Montgomery County (north of Houston) on May 13, 2002,

officers from the Montgomery County Special

Investigation Unit and the Texas Department of

Public Safety Narcotics Division seized 122.9 grams

of crystal methamphetamine—one-half of which was

concealed in a hollowed-out candle. The individuals

involved were Caucasian males in their twenties.

Officers from the Austin Police Department also

report that the availability of crystal methamphetamine has recently increased in their jurisdiction,

and they believe the drug is being produced locally.

In July 2002 the Austin Police Department seized a

crystal methamphetamine laboratory that was being

operated by an 18 year old.

Wisconsin. The Douglas County Task Force first

identified the availability of crystal methamphetamine

in January 2002. Mexican and Asian criminal groups

are the primary sources of supply for the drug, which

is now readily available in the area. In this area

crystal methamphetamine typically is sold in small retail

quantities; however, one-half ounce to 1-ounce quantities

have been seized. The drug generally sells for twice the

price of powdered methamphetamine.

Federal Sentencing

Sentences for crystal methamphetamine “ice” are determined by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which are in

turn based on the statutory sentences, including quantitybased mandatory minimum sentences, in the Controlled

Substances Act. For methamphetamine generally (leaving

aside the crystal methamphetamine “ice” form), the

statute and guidelines both set forth alternative formulations for determining quantity-based sentences because

“actual” or “pure” methamphetamine (sometimes referred

to in the sentencing context as “meth-actual”) is distinguished from “a mixture or substance containing” methamphetamine (sometimes called “meth-mixture”). The

quantities of meth-actual that trigger the various mandatory minimum sentences and Guidelines sentencing

ranges are one-tenth of those of meth-mixture. Thus, 5-

year mandatory sentences are triggered by trafficking in 5

grams of meth-actual or 50 grams of meth-mixture; 10-

year mandatory sentences are triggered by trafficking in

50 grams of meth-actual or 500 grams of meth-mixture. A

mixture containing methamphetamine weighing 10 grams

at 50 percent purity could either be sentenced as 10

grams of meth-mixture or 5 grams of meth-actual (although the higher sentence should prevail).

The term crystal methamphetamine “ice” does not

appear in the statutory provisions prescribing methamphetamine penalties. In the Sentencing Guidelines,

“ice” is defined as a mixture or substance containing

d-methamphetamine hydrochloride of at least 80

percent purity. Unlike other methamphetamine mixtures, however, any quantity of “ice” is treated as

meth-actual for Guidelines sentencing purposes.

Thus, if the 10-gram mixture described above were

“ice,” it would be sentenced as 10 grams of methactual. Because the alternative sentencing scheme

does not apply to “ice,” traffickers in this crystallized

form of methamphetamine will tend to receive longer

sentences than other methamphetamine traffickers.

Source: Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Narcotic and

Dangerous Drug Section.
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National Drug Intelligence Center

Outlook

The increasing availability of crystal methamphetamine may indicate that Mexican DTOs and criminal

groups and Asian criminal groups are attempting to

create demand for crystal methamphetamine throughout the United States. Mexican criminal groups

operating in the United States pose the greatest threat

due to their existing methamphetamine production,

transportation, and distribution networks. Mexican

DTOs and criminal groups are using these networks to

distribute crystal methamphetamine in areas of the

country where the drug was previously available only

in limited quantities or not at all. Asian criminal groups

also will contribute to the growing availability of crystal

methamphetamine due to their increasing involvement

in distributing the drug in areas other than Hawaii and

the West Coast. As the availability of crystal methamphetamine increases, a corresponding increase in the

number of abusers will likely occur. The fact that the

drug commands a significantly higher price than

powdered methamphetamine is not likely to slow

demand for the drug.
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Crystal Methamphetamine

Sources

State and Regional

Austin (TX) Police Department

Central Valley California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

Chicago High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

Douglas County (WI) Task Force

Fulton County (GA) Police Department

Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Airport Task Force

Lea County (NM) Drug Task Force

Metro (MO) Methamphetamine Drug Task Force

Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics

Montgomery County (TX) Special Investigation Unit

Oakland (CA) Police Department

Oklahoma Highway Patrol

Omaha (NE) Police Department

Peoria (AZ) Police Department

San Francisco (CA) Metropolitan Task Force

San Francisco (CA) Police Department

Santa Ana (CA) Police Department

South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation Drug Task Force

Southwest Border High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area

Texas Department of Public Safety Narcotics Division

Western Intelligence Narcotics Group Drug Task Force (NE)

National

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

National Institutes of Health

National Institute on Drug Abuse

U.S. Department of Justice

Criminal Division

Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section

Drug Enforcement Administration

Atlanta Division

Denver Division

El Paso Intelligence Center

Operation Jetway

Houston Division

Los Angeles Division

Las Vegas District Office
9

National Drug Intelligence Center

Miami Division

New Orleans Division

Phoenix Division

San Francisco Division

Oakland Resident Office

St. Louis Division

Kansas City District Office

Southwest Laboratory

Western Regional Laboratory

Immigration and Naturalization Service

U.S. Sentencing Commission

Cover Photo Courtesy of DEA Gulf Coast HIDTA
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Crystal Methamphetamine

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National Drug Intelligence Center

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Crystal Methamphetamine

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