(Second in a three-part series)
In the first article which appeared yesterday, we examined the origins of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) — popularly known as “Ecstasy” — and the method of smuggling preferred by Israeli drug cartels.
This segment focuses on the drug couriers.
According to a new report by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as Israeli drug cartels — working in tandem with their Russian partners — move MDMA from Europe to US hub cities and secondary midlevel wholesale distribution areas, they also move bulk cash back to the hub cities and smuggle a portion of the money back to Europe. One courier recruited by Israeli traffickers tells DEA investigators of seeing “stacks of cash from the United States” in safe houses in Belgium to be used as operating capital for additional pill purchases and expenses for European operations.
Other couriers tell the DEA of smuggling MDMA into the United States through express mail services. American law enforcement officials believe this method may now be the most popular method among both Israeli and Russian whole-sale organizations. Express mail services have been increasingly used because of the relative security afforded the organization. The Israeli drug cartels commonly ship packages of MDMA directly from Europe to a recipient in the United States using a false name, which allows the recipient to deny knowledge of the contents of the package. The Israelis are able to track the shipment through each stage of the shipping process by accessing the express mail service’s Internet site and entering the package tracking number. If the package is stopped for an abnormal period of time at any stage, the Israelis will detect it and assume that authorities discovered the MDMA in the package and held it in order to obtain a search warrant or to coordinate a controlled delivery. The drug shipper will then abandon the package and avoid detection.
When shipping pills through a mail service, reports the DEA, smugglers often put loose pills inside jigsaw puzzles to avoid x-ray detection. Groups will ship the pills anonymously to mailbox rental facilities.
The DEA report also says the Israeli smuggling organizations favor using couriers to carry MDMA on commercial flights. Israeli and Russian drug cartels prefer using female couriers traveling on round-trip tickets usually purchased with cash approximately four days before the flight. The couriers conceal the pills in carry-on luggage with false bottoms.
The DEA says the high level of structure and discipline within Israeli and Russian drug cartels is a strength noted by law enforcement experts. DEA analysts say members of these smuggling organizations show a strong respect for their leaders and a willingness to take and follow orders. Members also show a dedication to their assigned positions and an adherence to safeguards that greatly reduce the smuggling profile, including active surveillance, recruitment of female couriers, use of false identification and rented safe houses for couriers, and rigidly structured flight and hotel itineraries.
Israeli and Russian Ecstasy smugglers employ couriers who primarily take direct flights from departure hubs in Europe-usually Amsterdam, Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Dusseldorf, Madrid, and Paris-although they occasionally take indirect flights through Canada, Israel, Spain, and Mexico en route to the United States. The DEA investigators say the cartels prefer to use females, believing they draw less attention from law enforcement, although they also routinely use males and individuals of various cultural and ethnic groups.
DEA case reporting shows that Israeli drug smugglers often have a member responsible not only for recruiting couriers, but also for coaching them through each stage of the smuggling operation.
The recruiter often will obtain false identification or driver’s licenses for couriers and purchase round-trip tickets-with cash and usually within four days of the travel. A trip often will include a 2-to 4-day layover in Europe, where the courier will stay in a hotel paid for by the drug cartel before returning to the United States with the MDMA pills. According to DEA, Israeli recruiters have tried to reduce the risk to couriers by observing airport security procedures, especially at check-in and baggage pickup areas.
Some Israeli drug smugglers have conducted as many as seven “dry runs” for new couriers to ensure they are able to operate calmly and successfully. Israeli and Russian drug cartels are disciplined in operational security and ensure that their couriers follow a well-established smuggling pattern.
Coming in Part Three: Drug enforcement officials foresee huge growth in global Ecstasy trade.
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