Mexican trafficking organizations have employed similar techniques to develop new markets for Mexican heroin. Using established marijuana networks, they have expanded their product line to include black tar and brown heroin. Mexican trafficking organizations have attempted to produce a white powder heroin. If they are successful, their already established marketing techniques and distribution networks could greatly facilitate the expansion of this new product line. Nigerian traffickers work closely with street gangs such as the Gangster Disciples, allowing expansion outside their traditional areas of operation and facilitating the distribution of heroin into smaller cities and suburbs.
Law enforcement faces several difficulties in combating heroin use.
The nonviolent nature of heroin users, as compared with that of users of drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine, often misdirects law enforcement priorities from focusing on heroin. Also, the shortage of qualified linguists and translators complicates law enforcement penetration of many ethnic criminal enterprises. Home Page End of page.