Northwest HIDTA 

Annual Report 

CY2005 

Dave Rodriguez, Director 


400 2nd Avenue West, 3rd Floor 


Seattle, WA 98119 


(206) 352-3600 

 

Table of Contents 

Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 3 

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 4 

National HIDTA Goals................................................................................................................................... 6 

Summary of Threat Assessment for Budget Year 2005 ............................................................................... 6
 

Northwest HIDTA Strategy Summary ........................................................................................................... 7 

HIDTA Performance Measures..................................................................................................................... 7 

Table 1 – DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled .............................................................................................. 8 

Table 2 – DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope .............................................................................. 8
 

Table 3 – Money Laundering Organizations Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope .................................. 9 

Table 4 – Operational Scope of DTO Cases Opened in 2005 ............................................................... 9 

Table 5 – Drugs Removed from the Marketplace................................................................................. 10 

Table 6 – Return on Investment for Drugs Removed from the Marketplace........................................ 11 

Table 7 – Return on Investment for Assets Removed from the Marketplace ...................................... 11 

Table 8 – Total Return on Investment for Drugs and Assets Removed from the Marketplace............ 11 

Table 9 – Prosecution Initiative Outputs............................................................................................... 12 

Table 10 – Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Dismantled in 2005, by Size..................... 13 

Table 11 – HIDTA Clandestine Laboratory Activities ........................................................................... 14 

Table 12 – HIDTA Training Efficiency by Year and Type of Training................................................... 15 

Table 13 – HIDTA Deconfliction Services by Year............................................................................... 16 

Table 14 – HIDTA Deconfliction Submissions by Year ........................................................................ 16 

Table 15 – HIDTA Investigations Supported by Year........................................................................... 17
 

Table 16 – HIDTA Initiative Investigations Referred by Year............................................................... 17 

Table 17 – Return on Investment for HIDTA Funded Drug Courts ...................................................... 18 

Table 18 – Public Education Outputs ................................................................................................... 18 

Table 19 – Community Coalition Outputs............................................................................................. 18 

Table 20 – Technical Investigative Support ......................................................................................... 19 

Conclusions................................................................................................................................................. 19 

Appendix A – Table of Organization for Northwest HIDTA......................................................................... 20 

Appendix B – Executive Board Composition .............................................................................................. 21 

Appendix C – Participating Agencies.......................................................................................................... 22 

Appendix D – Northwest HIDTA Counties .................................................................................................. 24 

Appendix E – Significant Achievements for Northwest HIDTA Initiatives................................................... 25 

Appendix F – UCR Part I Crimes Reported to WASPC for Northwest HIDTA Counties ............................ 28 

Appendix G – HIDTA PMP Matrix for CY2005............................................................................................ 29 

Appendix H – List of Tables and Charts ..................................................................................................... 30 

Appendix I – Sources of Information........................................................................................................... 31 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 2 of 31 
 

 

 

I. Executive Summary 

Illegal drugs influence nearly every aspect of society. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area 

(HIDTA) program is designed to significantly disrupt the market for these illicit activities. When illegal 

drugs and associated assets are seized, the regional marketplace for illegal drugs suffers. These 

seizures hit drug trafficking organizations (DTOs) hard, affecting their profitability, and frequently their 

ultimate survival. By disturbing the drug supply chain, particularly at the multi-state or international 

level, law enforcement can impact the drug flow before it ever reaches the individual user. These law 

enforcement activities have a cost. A key question emerges, therefore, as to how efficiently and 

effectively public dollars are being spent on these objectives. This Annual Report addresses those 

issues. 

During Calendar Year (CY) 2005, Northwest HIDTA initiatives disrupted the market for illegal drugs 

by meeting or exceeding most of their performance targets for the year, and did so in an efficient and 

cost effective manner. The following highlights illustrate this success: 

• To maximize results, the Northwest HIDTA promotes cooperation and joint efforts between 

various law enforcement, public health, and regulatory organizations. There were over 96 federal, 

state, and local agencies participating in Northwest HIDTA law enforcement, intelligence, or 

prevention/treatment initiatives. Support from the Northwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center 

(ISC) aides regional law enforcement initiatives in making significant progress identifying, 

investigating, and dismantling or disrupting the area’s most dangerous and prolific DTOs, drug 

dealers, money launderers, weapons traffickers, and violent criminals. 

• Illicit drugs are extremely profitable for the illegal organizations that traffic them. During CY2005, 

over $184 million dollars in illicit drug profits were permanently eliminated from the balance 

sheets of DTOs within the Northwest HIDTA. This loss would constitute a serious financial blow to 

a large legitimate corporation and its impact on an illegal DTO is greater yet, representing a 

sizeable reduction in illicit drug availability. 

• Fighting the war against illicit drug trafficking costs money; Northwest HIDTA initiatives achieved 

a remarkable combined return on investment (ROI) of $49 dollars for every $1 dollar of Northwest 

HIDTA funds invested. For every Northwest HIDTA budget dollar spent on law enforcement, 

prosecution, and investigative support activities, $43 dollars in illicit drugs and just under $6 

dollars in drug-related assets were seized. 

• HIDTAs exist to identify, disrupt, and dismantle DTOs and money laundering organizations 

(MLOs). At the beginning of CY2005, Northwest HIDTA initiatives identified 65 DTOs and of 

those, 64 were targeted. By the end of the year, 25 percent of these targeted DTOs and money 

laundering organizations were disrupted and another 25 percent were dismantled. 

• During CY2005, 56 additional DTOs were identified, all of which were targeted. Twenty-two of 

these new “targets of opportunity” were disrupted by year’s end, and 22 more were completely 

dismantled. 

• In CY2005, of all the DTOs targeted, 38 DTOs were completely dismantled, forever removing 

their illegal activities from the marketplace. 

• Northwest HIDTA strives to investigate larger, more complex DTOs where the greatest positive 

impact can be achieved. Disrupting or dismantling a large, complex DTO generally takes longer 

than stopping a street level operation, but doing so can substantially reduce the illicit drug 

marketplace. During CY2005, Northwest HIDTA initiatives targeted more complex cases involving 

larger DTOs, but more specifically, 76 percent of the DTOs targeted by Northwest HIDTA 

initiatives were international or multi-state in scope. Of the 76 DTOs disrupted or dismantled in 

CY2005, 74 percent were international or multi-state in scope. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 3 of 31 
 

 

• Northwest HIDTA initiatives identified and targeted 16 money laundering organizations in 

CY2005. Of these, 5 were dismantled and 6 were disrupted. All of the money laundering DTOs 

identified, disrupted, or dismantled in CY2005 were international or multi-state in scope. 

• Northwest HIDTA continues to play a leading role in assisting the law enforcement, prosecution, 

and investigative support initiatives with their information sharing and training needs. Information 

sharing and training support link these initiatives together, promoting and facilitating greater 

efficiency and effectiveness. During CY2005, Northwest HIDTA provided 14,316 hours of training 

to 506 students. 

II. Introduction 

Northwest HIDTA represents one of 28 individual regions in the nation designated by the Office of 

National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) as an area with a critical drug trafficking problem, which 

adversely impacts the United States. Northwest HIDTA was first designated by ONDCP to combat 

this problem in January of 1997. Since this time, Northwest HIDTA has been attacking the critical 

drug problem by forming partnerships and dedicating HIDTA resources to law enforcement, 

intelligence, prevention, treatment, and education efforts within the Northwest HIDTA area of 

responsibility (AOR). These partnerships form the Northwest HIDTA initiatives, which are responsible 

for executing the Northwest HIDTA strategy. 

The national HIDTA program has a clear mission that each individual HIDTA is responsible for 

executing within their area: 

National HIDTA Mission Statement 

The mission of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program is to disrupt the 

market for illegal drugs in the United States by assisting federal, state, and local law 

enforcement entities participating in the HIDTA program to dismantle and disrupt 

drug trafficking organizations, with particular emphasis on drug trafficking regions that 

have harmful effects on other parts of the United States. 

In addition to the national HIDTA mission, each individual HIDTA has its own specific mission, which 

must remain consistent with the national HIDTA mission. This individual mission provides each 

initiative with clear objectives to follow: 

Northwest HIDTA Mission Statement 

In support of the National Drug Control Strategy, the Northwest High Intensity Drug 

Trafficking Area mission is to measurably reduce drug trafficking, money laundering, 

and drug related violent crimes through intelligence driven targeting of drug trafficking 

organizations and to reduce demand by supporting treatment and effective demand 

reduction programs. The Northwest HIDTA program focuses on high-value trafficking 

targets and financial infrastructure. 

While the Northwest HIDTA mission statement provides initiatives with direction and objectives, the 

Northwest HIDTA vision statement provides a vision of the future that clearly reflects what outcomes 

the HIDTA initiatives seek to achieve: 

Northwest HIDTA Vision Statement 

The Northwest HIDTA vision is to become the premier organization to unify federal, 

state, and local counter-drug efforts within the state of Washington. We will lead with 

an eye towards the reduction and eventual elimination of drug trafficking and abuse 

in our communities. Using state-of-the-art technical and operational resources, all 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 4 of 31 
 

Skagit

Thurston

I-84

I-82

I-82

I-90

I-5

I-5

I-84

I-90

8 Olymp a

 20

Skagit 97

Thurston

available strategic and tactical intelligence will be integrated and shared, to effectively 

and efficiently dismantle or disrupt drug trafficking efforts. This approach will be 

enhanced by integrating Public Safety and Public Health strategies, creating and 

supporting unique and flexible programs that together will improve our community 

and will be the distinguishing feature of the Northwest HIDTA. 

The Northwest HIDTA is pleased to present this Annual Report documenting its activities during 

CY2005. 

Reporting Period: This Annual Report covers the reporting period of calendar year 2005 from 

January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2005. 

Budget Allocation: During this reporting period, ONDCP allocated a total budget of 

$4,972,000 for Northwest HIDTA operations. Of this, $4,272,000 was the Northwest HIDTA 

base budget, and an additional $700,000 was designated in supplemental funding. In 

CY2005, Northwest HIDTA allocated $3,765,299 of its budget to law enforcement and 

intelligence initiatives, $971,000 to prevention and treatment initiatives, and $235,701 to 

management and administration. 

Geographic Area of Responsibility: The Northwest HIDTA consists of 14 counties located 

throughout the state of Washington. These 14 counties represent 36 percent of the counties 

in the state but account for 87 percent of the state population. Ten counties are situated in 

Western Washington along the Interstate 5 corridor, which runs north and south through the 

state from Canada to Oregon. These counties are Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, 

Kitsap, Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Cowlitz, and Clark. Four additional counties are located in 

Eastern Washington: Yakima, Benton, Franklin, and Spokane. 

Northwest HIDTA Counties 

Whatcom

Snohomish

King

Clallam

Jefferson

Grays

Harbor

Mason

Pierce

Pacific Lewis

Wahkiakum

Cowlitz

Clark

Skamania

Klickitat

Yakima

Kittitas

Chelan

Douglas

Okanogan Ferry

Stevens

Pend

Orielle

Spokane

Lincoln

Adams Whitman

Franklin

Grant

Benton

Walla Walla

Columbia

Asotin

Garfield

Island

Kitsap

San Juan

97

395

12

12

Seattle

Tacoma

Yakima

Portland

Tri-Cities

Spokane

i

101

101

101

12

97

2

97/2

 20

2

2

Whatcom

Snohomish

King

Clallam

Jefferson

Grays

Harbor

Mason

Pierce

Pacific Lewis

Wahkiakum

Cowlitz

Clark

Skamania

Klickitat

Yakima

Kittitas

Chelan

Douglas

Okanogan Ferry

Stevens

Pend

Orielle

Spokane

Lincoln

Adams Whitman

Franklin

Grant

Benton

Walla Walla

Columbia

Asotin

Garfield

Island

Kitsap

San Juan

Whatcom 

Skagit 

Snohomish 

King 

Clallam 

Jefferson 

Grays

Harbor 

Mason 

Thurston 

Pierce 

Pacific Lewis 

Wahkiakum 

Cowlitz 

Clark 

Skamania 

Klickitat 

Yakima 

Kittitas 

Chelan 

Douglas 

Okanogan Ferry 

Stevens 

Pend 

Orielle 

Spokane 

Lincoln 

Adams Whitman

Franklin 

Grant 

Benton 

Walla Walla 

Columbia 

Asotin 

Garfield 

Island 

Kitsap 

San Juan 

I-84 

I-82 

97 

I-82 

I-90 

I-5 

I-5 

395 

I-84 

I-90 

12 

12 8 

Seattle 

Tacoma 

Yakima 

Portland 

Tri-Cities 

Spokane 

Olympia 

101 

101 

101 

12 

97 

2 

97/2

 20 

2 

2

 20 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 5 of 31 
 

 

III. National HIDTA Goals 

HIDTAs nationally have adopted two specific goals to guide all HIDTA initiatives and activities 

throughout the United States. 

National HIDTA Goals 

Goal 1 Disrupt the market for illegal drugs by dismantling or disrupting drug 

trafficking organizations. 

Goal 2 Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HIDTA initiatives. 

The National HIDTA goals represent clear targets for Northwest HIDTA initiatives. They also provide 

the foundation upon which performance planning and outcome measurements are based. As the 

Northwest HIDTA develops budget submissions, each Northwest HIDTA initiative must present 

programmatic and fiscal justifications based on the Threat Assessment, articulate how the initiative’s 

funding request directly addresses the threat, set realistic performance measures, and provide 

specific information on how the funding has assisted in meeting its desired outcomes. Northwest 

HIDTA initiatives are developed within clear national guidelines governing all HIDTA activities and 

expenditures. 

Northwest HIDTA initiatives support Goal 1 by routinely identifying, targeting, and dismantling or 

disrupting DTOs. Additionally, Northwest HIDTA initiatives disrupt the drug market and reduce 

demand for illegal drugs by identifying and dismantling clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, 

providing prosecution for drug cases, supporting drug court participants, producing public education 

materials, and promoting community coalitions and support programs. 

Northwest HIDTA initiatives support Goal 2 by providing intelligence support through a centralized 

intelligence center, referring cases to other HIDTAs and law enforcement agencies, providing 

statewide deconfliction services, maintaining electronic connectivity with all HIDTA initiatives, 

conducting training programs, and providing technical support to all HIDTA initiatives. 

IV. Summary of Threat Assessment for Budget Year 2005 

Methamphetamine is the primary illicit drug threat to the State of Washington. The occurrence of use 

and addiction is currently widespread, and combined with the overwhelming availability of high purity, 

low cost methamphetamine there is cause for serious concern. Methamphetamine production is a 

continuing problem, as the number of clandestine laboratories seized by law enforcement officials 

continues to be one of the highest in the nation, although the number of reported incidents has 

decreased. The reduction in reported methamphetamine laboratory seizures may be an indication 

that the amount of methamphetamine produced in the state has decreased due in part to increased 

law enforcement efforts. However, there are no indications that the levels of availability, abuse, and 

demand have decreased. This indicates an increase in the importation of methamphetamine from 

other states and a potential shift of local methamphetamine production to areas in the state with 

limited resources to combat this threat. Production has also created safety and environmental 

hazards. Stolen and diverted precursors continue to be a problem in the state. While the movement of 

pseudoephedrine from Canada to the United States has appeared to decrease, the level of ephedrine 

from Canada has increased. There have also been indications that increased quantities of 

pseudoephedrine are now being smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border. Finally, the production, 

distribution, and abuse of methamphetamine are commonly associated with violent and other crimes. 

Marijuana is the most readily available and widely abused illicit drug in the state. Canada-produced 

marijuana, commonly known as “BC Bud,” is more readily available than Mexico-produced marijuana. 

Cannabis cultivation also occurs throughout Washington, and the trend of large outdoor operations, 

predominately by Mexican-nationals, may be increasing. Currently, Caucasian criminal groups and 

local independent growers are primarily responsible for the majority of local indoor marijuana growing 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 6 of 31 
 

 

 

operations. While marijuana is the most widely abused illicit substance in the state, public policy has 

been influenced by common misperception so as to diminish the priority of marijuana-related criminal 

cases. 

Cocaine also poses a significant threat. Powdered cocaine is readily available throughout the state. 

Abuse of the drug is common, with powdered cocaine being abused more frequently than crack 

cocaine. Crack cocaine is generally only available inside the major metropolitan areas of Seattle, 

Spokane, and Tacoma. 

Heroin, particularly in larger cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, and Yakima, is another significant threat. 

The drug is readily available, and heroin abuse is a substantial problem. The prevalent violence 

associated with heroin distribution and addiction is a concern to law enforcement officials. Mexican 

black tar heroin is the main type available in the state. 

With the exception of MDMA, other dangerous drugs (ODDs) present a low, but escalating threat to 

the State of Washington. MDMA, which is a moderate threat, is readily available and abused. ODDs 

include the hallucinogens LSD and psilocybin, and the depressant GHB and its analogs. Diverted 

pharmaceuticals such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), 

and methadone (Dolophine) also pose a moderate and increasing threat. 

V. Northwest HIDTA Strategy Summary 

The Northwest HIDTA Executive Board has implemented and administered programs that meet the 

National Drug Control Strategy by forming partnerships and dedicating HIDTA resources to law 

enforcement, intelligence, prosecution, prevention, treatment, and education efforts. The Northwest 

HIDTA Executive Board’s strategy is to develop programs and initiatives that meet the ONDCP 

program requirements and that reduce the drug threat in this region. 

Northwest HIDTA initiatives stress the enhancement, partnership, and co-location of multijurisdictional task forces in critical locations within the Northwest HIDTA region. Concurrently, the 

initiatives are designed to have an impact on the drug trafficking organizations in their county/region 

with consequent impacts on drug availability and market price. The application of these task forces 

creates drug market disruption, which generally leads to a sporadic drug supply, fluctuating drug 

prices, an increase in people seeking treatment, and a heightened opportunity for arrest and 

prosecution of drug law violators. 

In furthering these efforts, the agencies that comprise the HIDTA initiatives agree to concentrate 

enforcement activities against major poly-drug trafficking organizations that sometimes interconnect 

throughout the HIDTA region. These DTOs are the key providers of methamphetamine, marijuana, 

heroin, and cocaine. Task force initiatives are funded with the premise and understanding that each 

program adopts HIDTA-identified priorities as its own. These task forces focus their efforts against 

Consolidated Priority Organization Targets (CPOT), Regional Priority Organization Targets (RPOT), 

international organizations, multi-state organizations and MLOs in a coordinated effort that includes 

the resources available through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) 

program. 

VI. HIDTA Performance Measures 

The National HIDTA Performance Management Plan (PMP) was implemented in 2004 to create a 

standardized method for individual HIDTAs to report their outputs and outcomes to ONDCP. The 

PMP requires all HIDTAs to report outputs and outcomes in 16 standardized tables known as core 

tables. There are 11 core tables directly related to Goal 1 and 5 core tables related to Goal 2. Four 

additional Northwest HIDTA-specific tables are also included to measure performance targets unique 

to this HIDTA. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 7 of 31 
 

A. Performance Measures for Goal 1
 

Core Table 1—DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled 

DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled 

Year DTOs 

Identified 

Total 

Targeted # Disrupted 

% of 

Targeted 

Disrupted 

# Dismantled 

% of 

Targeted 

Dismantled 

Begin 2005 65 64 16 25% 16 25% 

During 2005 56 56 22 39% 22 39% 

Total 2005 121 120 38 32% 38 32% 

Table 1 illustrates the number of DTOs identified, targeted, disrupted, and dismantled during 

CY2005. The desired outcome is to disrupt or dismantle DTOs. 

This table illustrates the effectiveness of HIDTA initiatives in identifying and targeting DTOs 

then subsequently disrupting or dismantling them. Of the 64 DTOs targeted in the beginning 

of CY2005, 16 of those DTOs were disrupted and another 16 were dismantled by the end of 

CY2005. Additionally, during CY2005 an additional 56 DTOs were targeted, of which 22 were 

disrupted and another 22 dismantled by the end of CY2005. The number of DTOs both 

targeted and disrupted/dismantled within the same calendar year, include targets of 

opportunity that may or may not have been identified through the intelligence process. 

The total number of DTOs identified, targeted, disrupted, and dismantled were obtained from 

the mandatory DTO report that is completed annually by each HIDTA initiative. This report 

collects vital intelligence information as it applies to each DTO operating within the Northwest 

HIDTA. The number of DTOs identified and targeted in the beginning of CY2005 were 

obtained from DTO reports completed by HIDTA initiatives in January 2005. All other DTO 

related data was obtained from DTO reports completed by initiatives in January 2006, 

reflecting data from CY2005. 

Core Table 2—DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope 

HIDTA DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled, for 2005, at Northwest HIDTA [ALL DTOs; MLOs included] 

Scope # 

Identified 

# 

Targeted 

# 

Disrupted 

% of 

Targeted 

Disrupted 

# 

Dismantled 

% of 

Targeted 

Dismantled 

Total 

Disrupted 

or 

Dismantled 

Total % 

Disrupted 

or 

Dismantled 

International 63 63 21 33% 18 29% 39 62% 

Multi-state 29 28 7 25% 10 36% 17 61% 

Local 29 29 10 34% 10 34% 20 69% 

Total 121 120 38 32% 38 32% 76 63% 

Table 2 presents the DTOs identified and targeted according to their operational scope (i.e., 

international, multi-state, or local) and calculates the percent disrupted and/or dismantled. 

The desired outcome is to disrupt or dismantle DTOs. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 8 of 31 
 

 

 

Northwest HIDTA’s efforts to concentrate investigative efforts on the larger-scale international 

DTOs are clearly demonstrated in this table. International DTOs are often large organizations 

that require significantly more investigative resources to disrupt or dismantle than local DTOs. 

Of the 76 DTOs disrupted or dismantled in CY2005, 39 (55%) were international in scope. 

Core Table 3—Money Laundering Organizations Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope 

HIDTA Money Laundering Organizations Disrupted or Dismantled, for 2005, at Northwest HIDTA 

Scope 

# 

Identified 

MLOs 

# 

Targeted 

# 

Disrupted 

% of 

Targeted 

Disrupted 

# 

Dismantled 

% of 

Targeted 

Dismantled 

Total 

Disrupted or 

Dismantled 

Total % 

Disrupted or 

Dismantled 

International 15 15 6 40% 4 27% 10 67% 

Multi-state 1 1 0 0% 1 100% 1 100% 

Local 0 0 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 

Total 16 16 6 38% 5 31% 11 69% 

Table 3 addresses money laundering organizations targeted, disrupted, and dismantled by 

operational scope. The table indicates what percentage of the targeted MLOs were disrupted 

or dismantled during CY2005. The desired outcome is to disrupt or dismantle money 

laundering organizations. 

As with table 2, table 3 clearly demonstrates the Northwest HIDTA’s focus on large-scale 

international and multi-state organizations. All of the money laundering organizations 

disrupted or dismantled in CY2005 were either international or multi-state in scope. 

Core Table 4—Operational Scope of All DTO Cases Opened in 2005 

Operational Scope of All DTO Cases Initiated 

Scope # Cases 

Opened 

# CPOT 

Cases 

# RPOT 

Cases 

# OCDETF 

Cases 

% OCDETF of 

Total Cases 

International 29 0 0 4 14% 

Multi-state 14 0 1 1 7% 

Local 13 0 0 2 15% 

Total 56 0 1 7 13% 

Table 4 presents the characteristics of new HIDTA cases by quantifying the number of cases 

opened and the number of CPOT, RPOT, and OCDETF cases, respectively. 

While this table indicates number of CPOT, RPOT, and OCDETF cases initially opened 

during CY2005, it does not convey the number of CPOT, RPOT, or OCDETF cases that are 

currently under investigation by Northwest HIDTA initiatives. By their nature, CPOT, RPOT, 

and OCDETF cases are long-term investigations that may have been opened prior to 

CY2005. During CY2005, Northwest HIDTA initiatives investigated 4 CPOT, 8 RPOT, and 22 

OCDETF organizations, many of which were initiated before CY2005. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 9 of 31 
 

Core Table 5—Drugs Removed from the Marketplace 

HIDTA Drugs Removed from the Marketplace, 2005, at Northwest HIDTA 

Drug Seized (kg or D.U.) Amount Seized (kg 

or D.U.) Wholesale Value 

heroin kg 14.222 $297,701.80 

cocaine HCl kg 643.841 $12,131,861.50 

crack cocaine kg 2.217 $43,298.13 

marijuana kg 11,397.420 $88,814,117.94 

marijuana plants and grows 55,683 $55,683,000.00 

methamphetamine kg 59.277 $764,933.62 

methamphetamine ice kg 23.417 $537,908.25 

ecstasy(MDMA)(D.U.s) 1,257,199 $3,391,083.50 

ephedrine hydrochloride 717.334 $1,972,668.50 

pseudoephedrine 19.090 $46,197.80 

prescription drugs 8,069.000 $40,345.00 

Total Wholesale Value $163,723,116.05 

Table 5 quantifies the wholesale value of the drugs seized during CY2005. The desired 

outcome is to remove drugs and drug assets from the marketplace, thereby increasing the 

ROI for HIDTA budget dollars expended. 

Drug prices are derived using the midpoint of wholesale drug price ranges for the region in 

which the drugs were seized. The primary source of drug price information is the Drug 

Enforcement Administration (DEA) Seattle Field Division Drug Price Report for 2006, Quarter 

1. Additional drug price data for marijuana plants, ephedrine hydrochloride, and 

pseudoephedrine were obtained from the Western States Information Network (WSIN) Illegal 

Drug Price and Purity Guide for 2005. 

The following table illustrates changes in amounts of drugs seized from CY2004 to CY2005. 

Changes in Drugs Seized from CY2004 to CY2005 

Drug Seized 

Seized in 

CY2004 

CY2004 

Value 

Seized in 

CY2005 

CY2005 

Value 

heroin kg 30.868 $615,024 14.222 $297,701 

cocaine HCl kg 383.081 $7,211,832 643.841 $12,131,861 

crack cocaine kg 0.137 $3,141 2.217 $43,298 

marijuana kg 9,181.263 $74,743,027 11,397.420 $88,814,117 

marijuana plants 80,745 $80,745,000 55,683 $55,683,000 

methamphetamine kg 96.115 $1,156,943 59.277 $764,933 

methamphetamine ice kg 31.590 $820,379 23.417 $537,908 

ecstasy (MDMA) DU 405,093 $2,799,653 1,257,199 $3,391,083 

The decrease in the number of marijuana plants seized from CY2004 to CY2005 is attributed 

to an anomaly in the CY2004 baseline where there was a single seizure of over 60,000 

plants. This single seizure in CY2004 accounted for over 80 percent of all marijuana plants 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 10 of 31 
 

 

seized in CY2004 and added approximately $60 million dollars to the CY2004 baseline for 

the value of drugs removed from the marketplace. 

The decrease in the amount of methamphetamine seized is primarily attributed to a decrease 

in the availability of locally manufactured methamphetamine, which is due to a sharp 

decrease in the number of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories (see core table 10 for 

an explanation of current methamphetamine trends). 

The increase in the amount of cocaine and MDMA seized is primarily attributed to seizures 

made at or near the U.S./Canadian border. The small change in the value of MDMA seized in 

relation to the significant increase in the amount of MDMA seized is attributed to significantly 

lower wholesale MDMA prices in the northwest border region. Wholesale MDMA in this 

region is available at prices as low as $2.50 per dosage unit, whereas prices range from $4 to 

$7 dollars per dosage unit in other parts of the state. 

Core Table 6—Return on Investment for Drugs Removed from the Marketplace 

Northwest HIDTA Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs Removed from the Marketplace by Law 

Enforcement Initiatives, by Year 

Year Budget Baseline Drug 

Wholesale Value 

Targeted 

Drug ROI 

Drug Wholesale Value 

Removed From Market 

Actual 

Drug ROI 

2004 $4,010,299 $168,094,999 $168,094,999 $41.92 

2005 $3,765,299 $168,094,999 $41.92 $163,723,116 $43.48 

Core Table 7—Return on Investment for Assets Removed from the Marketplace 

Northwest HIDTA Return on Investment (ROI) for Assets Removed from the Marketplace by Law 

Enforcement Initiatives, by Year 

Year Budget 

Baseline 

Value of Drug 

Assets 

Targeted 

Asset ROI 

Value of Drug Assets Removed from 

Market 

Actual 

Asset ROI 

Cash Other Assets Total 

2004 $4,010,299 $25,016,081 $16,042,085 8,973,996 $25,016,081 $6.24 

2005 $3,765,299 $25,016,081 $6.24 $4,989,497 $15,460,061 $20,449.558 $5.43 

Core Table 8—Total Return on Investment for Drugs and Assets Removed from the Marketplace 

Northwest HIDTA Total Return on Investment (ROI) for Drugs and Assets Removed from the 

Marketplace by Law Enforcement Initiatives, by Year 

Year Budget Drugs and Assets 

Baseline Targeted Total ROI 

Drugs and Assets 

Removed from 

Market 

Actual Total ROI 

2004 $4,010,299 $193,111,080 $193,111,080 $48.16 

2005 $3,765,299 $193,111,080 $48.16 $184,172,674 $48.91 

Table 6 explores ROI for drugs removed from the marketplace and does so directly as a 

performance target. The desired outcome is to remove drugs and drug assets from the 

marketplace, thereby increasing the ROI for HIDTA budget dollars expended. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 11 of 31 
 

 

Although the value of drugs removed from the marketplace has decreased slightly from 

CY2004, the ROI for drugs removed from the marketplace has increased. This is due to a 

reduction in the overall law enforcement and intelligence budget for CY2005. In CY2004, 

ONDCP authorized an additional $245,000 dollars for CPOT investigations, which was not 

included in the CY2005 budget. 

Table 7 presents ROI performance targets and measures for drug assets seized (including 

cash). The desired outcome is to remove drugs and drug assets from the marketplace, 

thereby increasing the ROI for HIDTA budget dollars expended. 

The change in the value of drug assets (including cash) seized from CY2004 to CY2005 is 

primarily attributed to significant cash seizures by two Northwest HIDTA initiatives in CY2004. 

Combined, these task forces were responsible for seizing $11.8 million dollars, accounting for 

74 percent of all cash seized in CY2004. 

From CY2004 to CY2005, asset seizures (excluding cash) have increased significantly from 

$8.9 million in CY2004 to $15.4 million in CY2005, while cash seizures have declined. The 

increase in asset seizures is attributed to significant asset seizures by two Northwest HIDTA 

initiatives, responsible for seizing a combined total of $7.2 million dollars in drug related 

assets, or 46 percent of the total assets seized by Northwest HIDTA initiatives. 

Table 8 combines the drug and drug asset seizures from tables 6 and 7 to present ROI 

Performance Targets and Measures for the combination of drugs and drug assets seized. 

The desired outcome is to permanently remove drugs and drug assets from the marketplace, 

thereby increasing the ROI for HIDTA budget dollars expended. 

As with drug seizures, the total value of drugs and assets removed from the marketplace has 

decreased slightly, but due to a reduction in supplemental CPOT funding from CY2004 to 

CY2005, the actual ROI has increased slightly. 

The budget figures indicated in tables 6 through 8 include only HIDTA funds designated for 

law enforcement and intelligence initiatives. Additional funding for these task forces is 

provided by various federal, state, and local agencies and it is not the intent of Northwest 

HIDTA to represent these budget figures as the sole source of funding for HIDTA initiatives. 

Core Table 9—Prosecution Initiative Outputs 

Prosecution Initiative Outputs 

Year Investigations 

Baseline 

Investigations 

Projected 

Investigations 

Handled % Handled 

2004 205 0 205 0% 

2005 205 110 92 84% 

Table 9 presents the number of investigations handled by HIDTA-funded prosecutors. The 

desired outcome is to investigate, arrest, and prosecute drug traffickers. Northwest HIDTA 

funds one prosecutor in Whatcom County. This prosecutor is funded through the Northwest 

Border Task Force and is not part of a dedicated HIDTA prosecution initiative. The outputs for 

CY2004 include HIDTA-funded prosecutions in Spokane County. During CY2005, Northwest 

HIDTA did not fund any prosecutions in Spokane County. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 12 of 31 
 

 

Core Table 10—Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Dismantled in 2005, by Size 

HIDTA Methamphetamine Laboratories Dismantled in 2005, at Northwest HIDTA 

Meth Cost Per Ounce $575.00 

Lab Size ID/Targeted Dismantled Value of Labs Dismantled 

A. Less than 2 Oz 495 141 $162,150.00 

B. 2 - 8 Oz 0 30 $86,250.00 

C. 9 Oz - 1 Lb 0 2 $14,375.00 

D. 2 - 9 Lbs 0 0 $0.00 

E. 10 - 20 Lbs 0 0 $0.00 

F. Over 20 Lbs 0 0 $0.00 

Total 495 173 $262,775.00 

Table 10 calculates the estimated value for a dismantled clandestine methamphetamine 

laboratory based on the lab’s production capacity for one cooking cycle and the wholesale 

price of one ounce of methamphetamine within the Northwest HIDTA. It should be noted that 

labs often operate for more than one cooking cycle, thereby increasing the overall value of 

that lab. By disrupting methamphetamine laboratories, Northwest HIDTA initiatives eliminate 

the future capacity of that laboratory to produce methamphetamine, and effectively remove 

drugs that would have made it to the marketplace. The drug price data was obtained from the 

DEA Seattle Field Division Drug Price Report for 2006, quarter 1. The number of labs 

dismantled were obtained from the El Paso Intelligence Center’s (EPIC) Clandestine 

Laboratory Seizure System (CLSS) for all Northwest HIDTA counties. 

Washington State has experienced a sharp decrease in the number of clandestine 

methamphetamine laboratories encountered by law enforcement. In CY2004, there were 441 

clandestine laboratories dismantled in HIDTA counties compared to 173 in CY2005. This 

decline is primarily attributed to aggressive law enforcement efforts against 

methamphetamine and legislation designed to combat the methamphetamine production 

problem by limiting the availability of precursor chemicals and by increasing penalties for 

methamphetamine-related offenses. Northwest HIDTA played a key role in getting this 

methamphetamine related legislation passed. This legislation includes: 

Senate Bill 5191, effective July 27, 1997, this bill increases penalties for 

methamphetamine crimes. This bill also stipulated that three thousand dollars of the 

imposed fine may not be suspended, and the first three thousand dollars must be 

deposited with the law enforcement agency responsible for the laboratory cleanup. 

House Bill 2628, effective June 11, 1998, increases penalties for manufacturing 

methamphetamine from a range of 21 to 27 months to 51 to 68 months for a first offense. 

Senate Bill 6260, effective June 8, 2000, increases penalties by adding a 24-month 

sentence enhancement for manufacturing a controlled substance when children are 

present. 

Senate Bill 5017, effective July 22, 2001, regulates the sale of products that contain 

ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine to no more than three packages or 

a single package that contains more than three grams in any 24-hour period. This bill 

also included legislation that states that any person who possesses more than fifteen 

grams (of those listed above) is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 13 of 31 
 

 

 

House Bill 1370, effective July 22, 2001, provides reporting and record keeping 

requirements for the sale of precursor drugs and made selling or possessing certain 

amounts of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine a gross misdemeanor. 

Senate Bill 6232, effective March 26, 2002, revises crimes relating to the possession of 

ammonia and established that the unlawful storage of pressurized ammonia gas solution 

is a class C felony. 

Senate Bill 6233, effective March 26, 2002, made the possession of ephedrine, 

pseudoephedrine, pressurized ammonia gas, or gas solution with the intent to 

manufacture methamphetamine illegal. 

House Bill 2610, effective March 28, 2002, provides criminal penalties for the 

endangerment of children and dependent persons with a controlled substance to also 

include ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or anhydrous ammonia that is being used in the 

manufacture of methamphetamine (class B felony). 

House Bill 2338, effective June 13, 2002, reduces prison sentences for non-violent drug 

offenders and offered treatment programs as an alternative. 

Senate Bill 6478, effective July 1, 2004, is follow-on legislation that further increases 

record keeping responsibilities, puts stricter limits on retailers who sell medications 

without registering with the state, and limits the selling of such ingredients to 10 percent 

of the retailer’s total sales. This legislation was developed as a result of suspicious 

transaction reports disclosing that the sales of precursors by 380 convenience stores in 

the state appeared to be greatly exceeding the demand for cold remedies. 

House Bill 2266, effective January 1, 2006, further restricts access to certain precursor 

drugs used to manufacture methamphetamine to ensure that they are only sold at the 

retail level to individuals who will use them for legitimate purposes upon production of 

proper identification. Part of this legislation became effective October 1, 2005 and 

mandated that any product containing any detectable quantity of ephedrine, 

pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine, or their salts, isomers, or salts of isomers, be 

kept in a location not directly accessible by customers. 

Senate Bill 6239, was passed by the legislature in March 2006, and when signed by the 

Governor, will assist local communities in combating the methamphetamine problem and 

facilitate the clean-up of contaminated meth-sites. It also enhances criminal penalties for 

meth-related crimes, and provides improved drug treatment for addicts committed to 

rehabilitation. 

Core Table 11—HIDTA Clandestine Laboratory Activities 

HIDTA Clandestine Activities for Northwest HIDTA, in 2005 

Laboratory Dump 

Sites Seized 

Chemical/Glassware 

Equipment Seizures 

Persons Affected: 

Baseline 

223 

270 

# Projected 

0 

0 

# Identified 

242 

14 

% Identified 

0% 

0% 

Children 5 0 5 0% 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 14 of 31 
 

-

 

Table 11 is a core table that reports the number of laboratory dump sites, chemical/glassware 

seizures, and children affected by clandestine laboratories. There is no previous baseline 

established for the number of children affected, therefore the baseline for this data is 

CY2005. The baseline for the number of laboratory dumpsites and chemical/glassware 

seizures is CY2004. 

As with clandestine laboratories, there has been a sharp decrease in the number of chemical 

and glassware seizures. Laboratory dump sites, however, still continue to be a problem in 

this area, particularly Pierce County where there were 154 dumpsites in CY2005. 

Northwest HIDTA initiatives only projected the number of actual laboratories that they would 

respond to and did not make projections for laboratory dump sites or chemical/glassware 

equipment seizures. Additionally, insufficient baseline data existed to create projections for 

the number of children affected by clandestine laboratories. 

B. Performance Measures for Goal 2 

Core Table 12—HIDTA Training Efficiency by Year and Type of Training 

HIDTA Training Efficiency, 2005, at Northwest HIDTA 

Type of Training 

# 

Students 

Expected 

for 

Training 

# 

Students 

Trained 

# Training 

Hours 

Actually 

Provided 

Total Training 

Cost 

Training Cost per 

Hour 

2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 

% 

Change 

2004 

2005 

Analytical/Computer 12 80 12 81 480 1316 $0 $0 $0 $0 0% 

Investigative/Interdiction 281 200 332 362 5488 11968 $0 $0 $0 $0 0% 

Management/Administrative 5 20 1 63 24 1032 $0 $0 $0 $0 0% 

Other 120 0 137 0 3016 0 $0 $0 $0 $0 0% 

Total 448 300 482 506 9008 14316 $0.00 $0 $0.00 $0 

Table 12 reports the number and type of training courses, hours, as well as the number of 

students attending HIDTA training courses. The desired outcome is to provide quality training 

that improves the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement and intelligence in the 

HIDTA initiatives. 

There are no funds identified in the Northwest HIDTA Training Initiative budget. All training 

funds are contained and embedded in the other initiatives. For FY2005, $168,700 in trainingrelated funds was identified in other initiatives. 

The majority of the training offered by the Northwest HIDTA is offered through an agreement 

with the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center (MCTC). The MCTC provides Northwest 

HIDTA with trainers and course materials for a variety of classes at no charge to the 

Northwest HIDTA. This agreement allows the HIDTA to sponsor a variety of training at no 

cost to the HIDTA or other law enforcement agencies. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 15 of 31 
 

 

Core Table 13—HIDTA Deconfliction Services by Year 

HIDTA Deconfliction Services by Year at Northwest HIDTA 

Year Total HIDTA 

Initiatives 

# Initiatives Targeted to 

Use Services 

# Initiatives Using 

Services 

% Initiatives Using 

Services 

2004 13 13 13 100% 

2005 13 13 13 100% 

Table 13 quantifies the number of HIDTA initiatives using event and case/subject 

deconfliction services. The desired outcome is to implement a system for real-time exchange 

of information, enhance officer safety, and eliminate duplication of effort. All Northwest HIDTA 

Initiatives are required to utilize deconfliction services. 

Core Table 14—HIDTA Deconfliction Submissions by Year 

HIDTA Deconfliction Submissions by Year at Northwest HIDTA 

Year 

Baseline # 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

# 

Deconfliction 

Submissions 

Expected 

# Event 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

# Case/Subject 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

Total 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

% 

Deconflictions 

Submitted 

2004 9,242 0 2,845 6,397 9,242 0% 

2005 9,242 4,500 3,217 14,943 18,160 403% 

Table 14 reports the number of submissions to the Northwest HIDTA Watch Center for event 

and case/subject deconfliction. 

The significant increase in the number of event and case/subject deconflictions from CY2004 

is due, in part, to increased participation in deconfliction services by Northwest HIDTA 

initiatives. All Northwest HIDTA initiatives are required to utilize event and case/subject 

deconfliction services. In CY2004, the Northwest HIDTA Watch Center began processing 

case/subject deconfliction for all DEA and ICE drug targets within the Northwest HIDTA 

region. Since that time, the number of case/subject deconflictions from DEA and ICE has 

continued to increase significantly. 

Additionally, the Northwest HIDTA Pacific Northwest Highway Interdiction Program has also 

contributed to the number of case/subject deconflictions. Drug seizures processed by the 

Watch Center for this program resulted in an additional 2,045-case/subject deconflictions for 

CY2005. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 16 of 31 
 

 

 

Core Table 15—HIDTA Investigations Supported by Year 

HIDTA Investigations Supported by Year at Northwest HIDTA 

Year 

Baseline # 

Investigations 

Receiving 

Analytical Support 

# HIDTA 

Investigations 

Targeted for 

Analytical Support 

# HIDTA 

Investigations 

Provided Analytical 

Support 

% Targeted 

Investigations 

Supported 

2004 65 50 65 130% 

2005 65 65 186 286% 

Table 15 quantifies the amount of analytical support being provided by Northwest HIDTA. 

The desired outcome is to implement a system for real-time exchange of information, 

augment the analytical capabilities of the HIDTA initiatives, and assist with the identification, 

assessment, and targeting of DTOs. 

The increase in the number of HIDTA investigations that were provided analytical support is 

primarily attributed to the new Northwest HIDTA Pacific Northwest Highway Interdiction 

Program. As part of this program, HIDTA analysts assigned to the ISC provide analytical 

support and post seizure analysis for drug interdictions in Washington or in other locations 

when a link can be established to Washington. This program handled 107 cases during 

CY2005. 

Case support by the Analytical Unit has also increased from 65 cases supported in CY2004 

to 79 cases supported in CY2005. The Analytical Unit typically handles long-term 

investigations and provides telephone toll analysis, charting, mapping, and other valuable 

services. 

Core Table 16—HIDTA Initiative Investigations Referred by Year 

HIDTA Initiative Investigations Referred by Year at Northwest HIDTA 

Year 

Total HIDTA 

Initiative 

Investigations 

# Initiative 

Investigations 

Targeted for 

Referral 

# HIDTA 

Initiative 

Investigations 

Referred to 

Other HIDTAs 

# HIDTA 

Initiative 

Investigations 

Referred to 

Other 

Agencies 

Total Initiative 

Investigations 

Referred 

% Targeted 

Initiative 

Investigations 

Referred 

2004 1,380 81 14 91 105 130% 

2005 1,570 105 19 237 256 243% 

Table 16 examines the extent to which information is shared within the law enforcement 

community. The table provides a means to account for investigations referred both to other 

HIDTAs as well as to outside agencies. The desired outcome is to implement a system for 

real-time exchange of information. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 17 of 31 
 

 

C. Threat Specific Performance Measurements 

Threat Specific Table 17—Return on Investment for HIDTA Funded Drug Courts 

ROI for HIDTA Funded Drug Courts 

HIDTA HIDTA Associated Costs HIDTA 

Year Costs Clients Cost/Client Costs Avoided ROI/Client ROI/Client 

1998 $433,000 590 $733.90 $2,295,690 $3,999,610 $1.74 $9.24 

1999 $433,000 594 $728.96 $2,311,254 $4,026,726 $1.74 $9.30 

2000 $433,000 856 $505.84 $3,330,696 $5,802,824 $1.74 $13.40 

2001 $433,000 1,759 $246.16 $6,844,269 $11,924,261 $1.74 $27.54 

2002 $433,000 1,814 $238.70 $7,058,274 $12,297,106 $1.74 $28.40 

2003 $433,000 2,110 $205.21 $8,210,010 $14,303,690 $1.74 $33.03 

2004 $433,000 2,582 $167.70 $10,046,562 $17,503,378 $1.74 $40.42 

2005 $433,000 2,924 $148.08 $11,377,284 $19,821,796 $1.74 $45.78 

Associated costs are calculated at $3,891 per participant based on a study initiated by 

Northwest HIDTA of Washington Drug courts conducted by the Washington State Institute for 

Public Policy. 

Crime-related costs avoided calculated at $6,779 per participant based on a study initiated by 

Northwest HIDTA of Washington Drug courts conducted by the Washington State Institute for 

Public Policy. 

Threat Specific Table 18—Public Education Outputs 

Public Education 

Year 

Print Material 

Distributed 

M-Files Website 

Hits 

M-Files Website 

Unique Visitors 

Meth Hotline 

Calls 

2001 44,692 223,061 37,197 111 

2002 37,632 519,750 66,211 137 

2003 87,120 1,967,525 81,683 136 

2004 72,700 2,927,260 203,524 172 

2005 77,598 2,334,719 167,125 254 

Threat Specific Table 19—Community Coalition Outputs 

Community Coalition Outputs by Year 

Year Meth 

Trainers 

Trained 

Meth 

Training 

Programs 

Given 

Training 

Program 

Attendees 

Community 

Events 

Community 

Event 

Attendees 

Service 

Programs 

Persons 

Served 

2001 1 78 2,332 178 9,639 17 3,252 

2002 2 82 1,488 225 17,290 14 2,272 

2003 5 58 1,371 175 7,200 7 417 

2004 135 127 4,668 276 11,625 8 550 

2005 237 207 11,852 232 8,986 8 925 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 18 of 31 
 

 

Threat Specific Table 20 – Technical Investigative Support 

Northwest HIDTA Technical Investigative Support 

Year Technical Support 

Assists Baseline 

Technical 

Support Assists % Handled 

2003 102 102 100% 

2004 102 125 123% 

2005 102 78 76% 

Threat Specific Table 4 reports the number of cases that were provided technical 

investigative support or loans of electronic surveillance equipment. Northwest HIDTA 

employs one full-time electronics technician to provide electronic surveillance support and to 

manage the electronic equipment loan-out program. 

VII. Conclusions 

CY2005 marks the second year that the Northwest HIDTA has reported initiative operational targets 

and subsequent outcomes using the new HIDTA PMP performance measurement tables seen 

throughout this Annual Report. The data in this report illustrates how Northwest HIDTA is on target 

for achieving the National HIDTA goals, which are to disrupt the drug market by disrupting or 

dismantling DTOs and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HIDTA initiatives. Clear 

evidence of successful initiative productivity is present throughout the report and one must 

conclude that drug availability is being reduced, DTOs are being disrupted and dismantled, and 

these accomplishments are being done efficiently and effectively. 

With support from the Northwest HIDTA Investigative Support Center, law enforcement initiatives 

operating in the Northwest HIDTA counties continue to make significant progress in identifying, 

investigating and disrupting or dismantling the most dangerous and prolific drug dealers and money 

launderers operating in the region. As the tables presented throughout this report clearly attest, 

Northwest HIDTA initiatives have achieved their primary Goal 1 objectives. 

Illicit drug availability in the Northwest HIDTA region has been reduced. Some highlights include 

seizing more than 55,600 marijuana plants, 11,300 kilograms of marijuana, 640 kilograms of 

cocaine HCl, 14 kilograms of heroin, 59 kilograms of methamphetamine, 23 kilograms of ice 

methamphetamine, and over 1.2 million dosage units of MDMA. These seizures equated to 

approximately $163 million dollars in wholesale value. These seizures, coupled with drug asset 

seizures exceeding $20 million, have significantly impacted DTO activities. Seventy-six DTOs were 

either severely disrupted or totally put out of business. Overall, the cost of doing business for the 

Northwest HIDTA regional DTOs has been increased by $184 million dollars. 

The Northwest HIDTA provides its initiatives with valuable resources including case support, 

electronic surveillance equipment loans, technical support, deconfliction services, and training. 

Additionally, use of the HIDTA.net secure network environment has improved collaboration 

between the HIDTA initiatives. Northwest HIDTA’s commitment to improving the efficiency and 

effectiveness of the HIDTA initiatives ensures that the Goal 2 objectives are met year after year. 

Northwest HIDTA is extremely pleased that its initiatives comply fully with the precepts of Goals 1 

and 2. Namely, they have been extremely efficient and effective in achieving their results to date, 

and they continue to improve going forward. 

Although the Northwest HIDTA has made considerable progress over the past year, there is still a 

great deal of work left to do. By bringing together criminal justice professionals and developing 

innovative, effective solutions to the region’s drug threats, the Northwest HIDTA will continue to 

lead the effort to protect regional residents from the scourge of illegal drugs. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 19 of 31 
 

 

Appendix A 

Table of Organization for Northwest HIDTA 

Administrative Fiscal Officer 

Charlotte Biggs 

Analytical Unit (9) 

Watch Center (5) 

Investigative Support Center Manager 

Christopher Downie 

Administrative Unit (5) 

Northwest HIDTA Border Task Force Tacoma Regional HIDTA Task Force 

Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force Thurston County Narcotics Task Force 

Northwest HIDTA Integrated Task Force NW HIDTA Yakima County Task Force 

Spokane County HIDTA Task Force Clark/Skamania Drug Task Force 

Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team Cowlitz/Wahkiakum Task Force 

WSP Proactive Meth Team Int'l Money Laundering Task Force 

Law Enforcement Initiatives 

Program Coordinator 

Bob Wicklund 

Prevention/Treatment Initiative 

Prevention/Treatment Coordinator 

Steve Freng 

Director 

Dave Rodriguez 

Executive Board 

Personnel Sub Committee 

Prevention/Treatment Advisory Committee 

Law Enforcement Advisory Committee 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 20 of 31 
 

 

Appendix B 

Executive Board Composition 

Executive Board Voting Membership: Total – 16; Federal – 8; State – 1; Local – 7 

Chair: Jeff Sullivan, AUSA, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington 

Vice Chair: Tim M. Kimsey, Chief, Port of Seattle Police Department 

Members: John Batiste, Chief, Washington State Patrol 

Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement 

Administration 

Kelvin Crenshaw, Special Agent in Charge, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and 

Explosives 

Gary Edwards, Sheriff, Thurston County Sheriff’s Office 

Richard Houck, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, District 13 

Ken Irwin, Sheriff, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office 

Gil Kerlikowske, Chief, Seattle Police Department 

Laura Laughlin, Federal Bureau of Investigation 

David S. McEachran, Prosecutor, Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office 

Sherree Preston, Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue ServiceCriminal Investigation 

Sue Rahr, Sheriff, King County Sheriff’s Office 

Eric Robertson, U.S. Marshall, U.S. Marshal’s Service 

Jim Scharf, Chief, Everett Police Department 

Leigh H. Winchell, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Immigration and 

Customs Enforcement 

Nonvoting Members: 

Wallace Shields, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Secret Service 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 21 of 31 
 

Appendix C 

Participating Agencies 

Alcohol/Drug 24-Hour Helpline – WA Alcohol/Drug Clearinghouse 

Battle Ground Police Department 

Bellingham Police Department 

Blaine Police Department 

Bonney Lake Police Department 

Bothell Police Department 

Buckley Police Department 

Camas Police Department 

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency 

Centralia Police Department 

Chehalis Police Department 

Clakamas County (OR) Sheriff’s Office 

Clark County Department of Community Services 

Clark County Prosecutor’s Office 

Clark County Sheriff’s Office 

Clark/Skamania Deputy Prosecutor’s Office 

Cowlitz County Corrections Department 

Cowlitz County Drug Court 

Cowlitz County Prosecutor’s Office 

Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office 

Cowlitz Substance Abuse Coalition 

Des Moines Police Department 

Everett Police Department 

Grandview Police Department 

Granger Police Department 

Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Coalition 

Kelso Police Department 

King County Department of Judicial Administration 

King County Sheriff’s Office 

Kitsap County Department of Personnel and Human Services 

Lacey Police Department 

Lewis County Sheriff’s Office 

Longview Police Department 

Marysville Police Department 

Morton Police Department 

Mossyrock Police Department 

Multnomah County (OR) Sheriff’s Office 

Napavine Police Department 

Northeast Washington Treatment Alternatives 

Office of the Washington State Lieutenant Governor 

Olympia Police Department 

Orting Police Department 

Pe Ell Police Department 

Pierce County Alliance 

Pierce County Department of Human Services 

Pierce County Health Department 

Pierce County Planning and Land Services 

Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office 

Pierce County Sheriff’s Office 

Port of Seattle Police Department 

Portland (OR) Police Bureau 

Puyallup Police Department 

Redmond Police Department 

Regional Organized Crime and Narcotics 

Royal Canadian Mounted Police 

Seattle Neighborhood Group 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 22 of 31 
 

Seattle Police Department 

Skagit County Department of Human Services 

Skagit Recovery Center 

Skamania County Sheriff’s Office 

Snohomish County Department of Human Services 

Snohomish County Health District 

Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office 

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office 

Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office 

Spokane County Sheriff’s Office 

Spokane Police Department 

Straight Talk About Responsibility 

Sumner Police Department 

Sunnyside (Clark County) Police Department 

Sunnyside (Yakima County) Police Department 

Tacoma Police Department 

Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office 

Thurston County Sheriff’s Office 

Thurston County Superior Court 

TOGETHER! 

Toledo Police Department 

Toppenish Police Department 

Tumwater Police Department 

Union Gap Police Department 

U.S. Border Patrol 

U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and Explosives 

U.S. Coast Guard, Thirteenth District 

U.S. Department of Defense; Joint Task Force 6 

U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation 

U.S. Federal Protective Service 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 

U.S. Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation 

U.S. Marshal’s Service 

U.S. Postal Inspection Service 

Vader Police Department 

Valley Narcotics Enforcement Team 

Vancouver (WA) Police Department 

Vancouver (BC) Police Department 

Washington County (OR) Sheriff’s Office 

Washington National Guard Counterdrug Task Force 

Washington State Association of Drug Court Professionals 

Washington State Department of Corrections 

Washington State Department of Ecology 

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services 

Washington State Patrol 

Washougal Police Department 

Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office 

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office 

Whatcom County Superior Court 

Winlock Police Department 

Yakama Tribal Police 

Yakima County Court Services 

Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office 

Yakima County Sheriff’s Office 

Yakima County Superior Court 

Yakima Police Department 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 23 of 31 
 

Appendix D 

Northwest HIDTA Counties 

All counties are in Washington State: 

Benton County 

Clark County 

Cowlitz County 

Franklin County 

King County 

Kitsap County 

Lewis County 

Pierce County 

Skagit County 

Snohomish County 

Spokane County 

Thurston County 

Whatcom County 

Yakima County 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 24 of 31 
 

 

Appendix E 

Significant Achievements for Northwest HIDTA Initiatives 

• On February 13, 2005, the Spokane County HIDTA Task Force began making arrests of 24 suspects 

for conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute. This 

OCDETF investigation, entitled Operation Replacements, was a two and one half year multi-agency 

investigation into a significant drug trafficking organization involved in bringing large quantities of 

methamphetamine and cocaine from Mexico through the Tri-Cities, to the greater Spokane area and 

then distributing these drugs to customers throughout the northwest, to include Idaho and Montana. 

During the investigation agents seized 10 pounds of methamphetamine, 8 pounds of cocaine, one 

semi-automatic handgun, ten vehicles, and approximately $60,000 in U.S. currency. This joint 

investigation was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration Spokane Resident Office 

Federal Task Force that worked in concert with representatives from DEA Yakima, Washington State 

Patrol, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, Spokane Valley Police Department, Tri-Cities Metro Drug 

Task Force, Spokane City Police Department, Kootenai County Drug Task Force, Internal Revenue 

Service, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 

Firearms, & Explosives. 

• A traffic stop by the Monroe Police Department resulted in the largest cocaine seizure recorded in 

Snohomish County. The officer checked the license plate of the vehicle and determined the driver 

was wanted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A subsequent search of the vehicle 

discovered approximately 149 kilograms of cocaine valued at $3 million dollars inside luggage found 

in the vehicle. A member of the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force opined that the cocaine was 

probably not meant for distribution in the area of the seizure. 

• On March 17, 2005, Yakima DEA Task Force agents conducted an undercover operation to buy one 

pound of Ice Methamphetamine from a male and female suspected of being drug traffickers. In an 

attempt to arrest the traffickers, they fled in a vehicle from a commercial parking lot while the male 

passenger opened fire on pursuing officers. Approximately 20 bullets were fired in the escape with no 

officers struck, though some of the pursuing vehicles were hit. The primary suspect stopped at a 

middle school at one point in the pursuit and attempted to take a young child hostage. The pursuit 

thwarted the attempt to take the child hostage and shortly after, the male suspect entered a mini-mart 

and succeeded in taking a clerk hostage. The scene was contained and negotiators from the Yakima 

Police Department subsequently succeeded in convincing the male suspect to surrender. The female 

suspect was arrested in the vehicle she had been driving. 

• Northern Border seizures of inbound shipments of marijuana continue to be disguised among 

legitimate cargo or packaging. One of the larger more recent marijuana seizures made on March 10, 

2005, was 453 kilograms found in four large wooden crates alleged to be finished fireplace doors. 

Another marijuana seizure on March 7, 2005, consisted of 132 kilograms concealed within a shipment 

of fish. Finally, there was an outbound seizure of 18.7 kilos of ecstasy concealed in bags within a trap 

door in the bottom of the trunk of a passenger vehicle. 

• On June 6, 2005, more than 300 federal, state and local law enforcement officers teamed up to 

execute 21 search warrants and to make 32 arrests of members and associates of the Bandidos 

Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMG). The execution of the warrants and arrests occurred in Washington, 

Oregon, Montana, South Dakota, and Texas, but centered on activities in Whatcom County, 

Washington where the international president of the OMG resides. Crimes investigated in the case 

included firearms and narcotics trafficking, assault, kidnapping, witness intimidation, and trafficking in 

stolen vehicles. Ten counts of the Grand Jury indictment related to the distribution of marijuana and 

methamphetamine by the chapter president living in Whatcom County. United States Attorney John 

McKay described the crackdown of the Bandidos OMG as “probably the most significant” for OMG 

members in the state in the last 20 years. The Bandidos OMG have approximately 170 chapters and 

2,400 members in 14 countries. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 25 of 31 
 

 

 

• A joint investigation that began in January 2005, culminated with the arrest of two suspects on May 6, 

that were believed to have been part of a major methamphetamine and cocaine distribution 

organization spanning from California to Washington. During the investigation initiated by DEA and 

the Clark-Skamania Drug Task Force, approximately 12 pounds of methamphetamine and over a 

pound of cocaine were seized. The amount of methamphetamine seized was described by the DEA 

Special Agent in Charge, Rodney G. Benson, as “one of the largest on record for the southern 

Washington region.” In an earlier arrest in the investigation, 3 pounds methamphetamine, 3 ounces 

of cocaine, and over $7,000 in cash were recovered from a hidden compartment in a vehicle. 

• In May 2005, a Federal Grand Jury in Seattle indicted two suspects from Snohomish County on 

charges of obtaining anabolic steroids and other prescription drugs such as oxycodone, from 

pharmacies in Mexico and providing them to personal trainers and others primarily in Snohomish 

County, but also in King County, Moses Lake in central Washington and in Portland, Oregon. The 

Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, the Food Drug Administration, DEA, ICE and the U.S. Postal 

Service were involved in this investigation that started from an anonymous tip that a trainer at a gym 

in Everett, Washington had been selling steroids. 

• In July 2005, the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force and DEA Seattle, with the assistance of 

Northwest HIDTA ISC, the Washington State Patrol, and several local law enforcement agencies, 

concluded a 12 month investigation of a poly-drug DTO by serving 12 search warrants. Seven 

kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 1.5 kilos of cocaine, and 1.25 pounds of heroin were seized 

and 32 people were arrested. Also seized were $193,000 dollars in cash, 23 vehicles, and 12 

firearms, one of which was stolen. 

• In November 2005, the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force and ICE, with the assistance of WSP 

and the Monroe Police Department, served a search warrant on a vehicle that had been stopped and 

had a positive K-9 hit. The vehicle was a pickup truck with a hidden compartment under the entire 

bed. Just under $700,000 was seized. 

• On May 10, 2005, the culmination of a joint DEA/ICE investigation entitled Operation Block Watch 

resulted in execution of eleven search warrants and the arrest of 15 suspects. The operation targeted 

a major methamphetamine distribution organization operating the Yakima Valley area and resulted in 

the seizure of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, weapons and currency. Fifteen local, state 

and federal law enforcement agencies were involved in the round up. 

• On May 26, 2005, the Law Enforcement Against Drugs Task Force executed three search warrants in 

the Grandview, Washington area, culminating a two-year investigation into the marijuana and 

methamphetamine trafficking activities occurring at or involved with the proprietor of a market. Ten 

local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies were involved in executing the warrants and 

making the arrests of eight suspects. Four pounds of marijuana, a small amount of 

methamphetamine, cash, and weapons were seized. 

• On February 3, 2005, the HIDTA Transportation Group made five arrests after a consent search in a 

hotel room. Four hundred twenty five pounds of marijuana, Canadian currency, and three vehicles 

were seized. 

• On June 16, 2005, a Washington State Patrol trooper stopped to assist a traveler with a disabled 

pick-up truck with Oregon license plates on I-5 near Smokey Point. Thirteen hockey bags were 

observed in the back of the truck and approximately 550 pounds of marijuana with a value of 1.5 

million dollars was recovered. 

• On September 12, 2005, the DEA Tacoma Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at a 

residence in Seattle, Washington. A Mexican National and a Vietnamese National were arrested after 

two kilograms of cocaine and one pound of crack cocaine were discovered inside the residence. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 26 of 31 
 

 

• On September 21, the DEA Tacoma Drug Task Force arrested five Mexican Nationals in Port Ludlow, 

Washington after they delivered five pounds of ice methamphetamine (95% pure) to a confidential 

source for $52,500. Three of the five defendants were armed with handguns. 

• On October 4, 2005, the Washington State Patrol interdicted 41 kilograms of cocaine on I-5 from a 

suspect who was apparently moving the drug to the Sandy Point Marina in Bellingham, Washington 

where there was a boat waiting to move the drug into Canada. The drug was wrapped in black plastic 

and emitted the smell of laundry soap. 

• In October of 2005, the Thurston County Narcotics Task Force and the Grays Harbor Narcotics Task 

Force made three arrests and seized over 2,000 marijuana plants from a large-scale marijuana grow 

operation in the Capitol Forest near Rock Candy Mountain. The operation was sophisticated and 

being managed by suspects with connections to other drug trafficking organizations in California. The 

crop would have yielded 300 pounds of marijuana with a value of $300,000 dollars. The Thurston 

County Drug Task Force was also involved in the seizure of 90 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms 

valued at about $45,000 during a raid on a rural home. 

• The HIDTA Integrated Drug Task Force led by DEA and staffed by Seattle PD, the King County SO, 

the state of Washington Department of Corrections and ATF, arrested 21 suspects and seized nearly 

two dozen weapons on November 17, 2005, in an investigation of a local Crips street gang. Agents 

seized $250,000 in cash, 2 kilograms of cocaine base and powder, as well as vehicles and property 

derived from the drug trade of the gang. The targets of the investigation set up a car lot in Des 

Moines to launder their drug money and they used intimidation and violence to protect their DTO. 

• On November 18, 2005, ten suspects were arrested in a multi-state drug trafficking organization that 

sold cocaine and methamphetamine in Alaska. Members of the DTO bought most of there supply 

from sources around Los Angeles and then smuggled it to Alaska through the State of Washington 

using a variety of means, including FedEx and United Parcel Service packages. The operation was 

suspected of putting one to two kilograms of methamphetamine or cocaine on the streets of 

Anchorage, Alaska weekly for the last two and one-half years. Some of the suspects had weapons 

when arrested. Multiple agencies, including DEA, FBI, ATF, IRS, U.S. Marshals, ICE, the Alaska 

State Troopers, and the Anchorage Police Department assisted in this investigation. 

• The Washington Meth Watch Public Education Program provided curricula, training, materials and 

support to 237 Citizen Presenters in 2005, which in turn provided 207 presentations to 11,852 

Washington State citizens. 

• Drug Court programs in Northwest HIDTA counties served 2,924 offenders in 2005 – approximately 

41 percent of whom were methamphetamine addicts – who have demonstrated a rate of 

reincarceration at less than 5 percent. 

• The Northwest HIDTA Program Coordinator and Prevention/Treatment Manager traveled to 

Bucharest, Romania in December 2005 at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy to consult with the 

Romanian Agentia Nationala Antidrog (ANA – National Anti-drug Agency) as they implement a 

national drug control strategy and prepare for accession to the European Union. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 27 of 31 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix F 

UCR Part I Crimes Reported to WASPC for Northwest HIDTA Counties 

HIDTA County Year Homicides Rape Robbery Aggravated 

Assault Burglary 

2002 4 42 55 239 958 BENTON 

2003 4 45 47 306 1,056 

Population 151,600 2004 5 46 60 278 1,226 

2002 3 163 249 452 2,409 CLARK 

2003 4 50 225 531 2,781 

Population 372,215 2004 12 189 212 571 2,696 

2002 4 40 69 244 1,221 COWLITZ 

2003 4 45 61 276 1,548 

Population 94,485 2004 5 51 61 248 1,336 

2002 2 17 32 114 338 FRANKLIN 

2003 1 23 20 72 326 

Population 53,600 2004 3 15 38 105 434 

2002 62 569 2,563 3,913 16,194 KING 

2003 71 651 2,613 3,847 17,821 

Population 1,794,745 2004 57 673 2,708 3,519 18,156 

2002 1 185 116 622 2,039 KITSAP 

2003 6 175 104 708 1,735 

Population 237,000 2004 1 231 125 701 1,710 

2002 3 44 35 138 630 LEWIS 

2003 0 33 34 119 659 

Population 70,400 2004 1 38 32 147 686 

2002 29 402 1,098 2,475 7,541 PIERCE 

2003 27 344 1,165 2,643 7,610 

Population 732,915 2004 26 385 1,185 2,435 8,130 

2002 4 61 39 93 1,005 SKAGIT 

2003 1 74 47 105 1,367 

Population 105,920 2004 2 67 62 150 1,288 

2002 11 291 400 789 3,733 SNOHOMISH 

2003 12 288 372 846 4,114 

Population 622,840 2004 18 272 417 885 4,989 

2002 20 146 481 1,117 4,336 SPOKANE 

2003 16 141 459 1,026 4,677 

Population 423,871 2004 16 147 380 1,119 5,323 

2002 2 127 111 386 1,770 THURSTON 

2003 4 108 91 375 1,658 

Population 214,800 2004 8 87 89 408 1,790 

2002 4 98 89 220 1,672 WHATCOM 

2003 3 108 83 231 1,951 

Population 174,500 2004 4 90 96 247 1,785 

2002 10 121 175 315 3,487 YAKIMA 

2003 10 137 194 372 3,418 

Population 226,000 2004 10 122 181 366 3,109 

2002 163 2,114 5,503 10,471 47,311 

NW HIDTA TOTALS 2003 163 2,373 5,431 8,196 50,271 

2004 168 2,413 5,646 11,179 52,658 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 28 of 31 
 

 Appendix G
 

HIDTA PMP Matrix for CY2005 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 29 of 31 
 

Appendix H 

List of Tables and Charts
 

Table 1 – DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled..................................................................................................... 8 

Table 2 – DTOs Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope..................................................................................... 8 

Table 3 – Money Laundering Organizations Disrupted or Dismantled by Scope......................................... 9 

Table 4 – Operational Scope of DTO Cases Opened in 2005...................................................................... 9 

Table 5 – Drugs Removed From the Marketplace...................................................................................... 10 

Table 6 – Return on Investment for Drugs Removed from the Marketplace .............................................. 11 

Table 7 – Return on Investment for Assets Removed from the Marketplace............................................. 11 

Table 8 – Total Return on Investment for Drugs and Assets Removed from the Marketplace .................. 11 

Table 9 – Prosecution Initiative Outputs ..................................................................................................... 12 

Table 10 – Value of Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs Dismantled in 2005, by Size ........................... 13 

Table 11 – HIDTA Clandestine Laboratory Activities.................................................................................. 14 

Table 12 – HIDTA Training Efficiency by Year and Type of Training ......................................................... 15 

Table 13 – HIDTA Deconfliction Services by Year ..................................................................................... 16 

Table 14 – HIDTA Deconfliction Submissions by Year............................................................................... 16 

Table 15 – HIDTA Investigations Supported by Year ................................................................................. 17 

Table 16 – HIDTA Initiative Investigations Referred by Year ..................................................................... 17 

Table 17 – Return on Investment for HIDTA Funded Drug Courts............................................................. 18 

Table 18 – Public Education Outputs.......................................................................................................... 18 

Table 19 – Community Coalition Outputs ................................................................................................... 18 

Table 20 – Technical Investigative Support................................................................................................ 19 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 30 of 31 
 

Appendix I 

Sources of Information 

The primary source for information contained in this Annual Report is the Northwest HIDTA Threat 

Assessment Survey. This survey document collects vital drug trend information as well as PMP-related 

performance measures from Northwest HIDTA initiatives on an annual basis. This survey is completed by 

all initiatives in January of each year and is used to collect outputs and outcomes for the previous 

calendar year. 

Also included with the annual Threat Assessment Survey is the annual DTO report. This report collects all 

PMP-required DTO information as well as other DTO-trend information. This DTO information is then 

entered into the local Northwest HIDTA DTO database for analysis. Once all DTO data is compiled in the 

Northwest HIDTA DTO database, this data is then incorporated into the ONDCP National DTO database. 

No information identifying specific DTOs (i.e., case or target name) or law enforcement sensitive 

information is ever transmitted to the ONDCP National DTO database. 

Information on clandestine laboratories, laboratory dumpsites, and chemical/glassware seizures is 

obtained from the El Paso Intelligence Center’s Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System. 

Training information was obtained from the HITDA Online Training Tracker (HOTT) system. 

Drug price information was obtained from the DEA Seattle Field Division Drug Price Report for FY2006, 

Quarter 1 and the Western States Information Network Illegal Drug Price and Purity Guide for 2005. 

All other information in this report pertaining to performance measures for Northwest HIDTA initiatives 

was retrieved from official HIDTA initiative documents and reports, or directly from the Northwest HIDTA 

initiatives. 

Northwest HIDTA Annual Report for CY2005 31 of 31