6 Most originates in South America, but law enforcement agencies report several instances where SA and SEA heroin are mixed in heroin samples. 7 Other techniques for source determination include investigative information such as wiretap information, confidential source information, undercover information, and documentary information such as that obtained during seizures or search warrants. Dominican groups most frequently acquire heroin from Colombian sources, though they are known to use other suppliers as well. Increasingly, Dominican traffickers themselves are smuggling heroin from source countries or intermediate transit areas such as the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. Generally, there appear to be fewer middlemen in New York's heroin business than in the past.
Investigators say that in some cases a seller is now only a step or two away from the importer.
Typically, a distribution group purchases heroin from an importer or wholesale organization and packages the drug for sale on the street. The retail group frequently distributes more than one drug, for example, heroin and cocaine. In most cases, however, the individual street dealer offers only one drug for sale. At higher levels of an organization, groups are more likely to distribute multiple drugs. Heroin sold at the street level is often very pure, indicating limited use of cutting agents by organizations or individuals.