(U//FOUO) The threat from the production, use, and trafficking of illegal drugs throughout the State of Michigan continues to be of great concern. In 2022, the demand and availability of some commonly used drugs increased while others slightly decreased compared to 2021. Also, several drugs showed an increase in use, while others showed a slight decrease throughout the state during the 2022 reporting period. According to drug teams’ survey responses on the most significant threat in their area of responsibility (AOR), as well as contributing factors such as availability and seizures, the drug threat ranking has remained the same from the previous reporting period. The current threat ranking is as follows:

Fentanyl/Heroin

• Crystal Methamphetamine/Methamphetamine
• Cocaine/Crack Cocaine
• Prescription Drugs
• Marijuana

(U//FOUO) Therefore, based on 2022 reporting, the Michigan HIDTA has identified the following key findings:

Fentanyl/Heroin

• (U//FOUO) According to the drug teams surveyed, 55% indicated fentanyl is their most significant threat in 2022 compared to 53% in 2021. Additionally, 21% of drug teams surveyed reported heroin as their second most significant threat, which is a decrease from 44% in 2021.
• (U//FOUO) Fentanyl is identified as the most lethal threat within the State of Michigan.
• (U//FOUO) Michigan HIDTA task forces seized roughly 123 kilograms of fentanyl in 2022, compared to 211 kilograms in 2021, which is roughly a 42% decrease.
• (U//FOUO) Michigan State Police forensic laboratory data, identifying the predominant drug type in tested samples, showed roughly a 14% decrease in the presence of fentanyl from 2021 to 2022.

Crystal Methamphetamine/Methamphetamine

• (U//FOUO) According to the drug teams surveyed, 39.5% indicated crystal methamphetamine, also known as ICE, is their most significant threat in 2022, with 97% reporting it is available within their AOR.
• (U//FOUO) Michigan HIDTA task forces seized 288 kilograms of methamphetamine powder/ICE in 2022, compared to 597 kilograms in 2021, which is a 51% decrease in seizures.
  • (U//FOUO) A reason for this decrease is due to two HIDTA initiative’s investigative efforts, resulting in the seizure of 260 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine in 2021.
• (U//FOUO) According to the Michigan State Police Michigan Incident Crime Reporting (MICR), methamphetamine incidents were the highest among drug-related arrests in 2022 and accounted for roughly 34% of total narcotic arrests.
• (U//FOUO) Michigan State Police forensic laboratory data, identifying the predominant drug type in tested samples, showed roughly a 7% decrease in the presence of methamphetamine from 2021 to 2022.

Cocaine/Crack Cocaine

• (U//FOUO) Michigan HIDTA task forces seized 5,727 kilograms of cocaine/crack in 2022, compared to 272 kilograms in 2021, which is a 2,005% increase.
  • (U//FOUO) A reason for this increase is due to one HIDTA initiative’s investigative efforts, resulting in the seizure of 4,930 kilograms of cocaine in 2022.
• (U//FOUO) The availability of cocaine increased with 97% of drug teams reporting the drug is readily available compared to 91% in 2021.

Prescription Drugs

• (U//FOUO) Michigan is a source state for diverted prescription drugs in Indiana, Kentucky, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
• (U//FOUO) Michigan HIDTA task forces seized 559 kilograms of prescription drugs in 2022, compared to 117 kilograms in 2021, which is a 378% increase.
  • This increase is likely due to the spike in counterfeit pharmaceutical tablets in Michigan as there is no separate reporting category for counterfeit pills.

Marijuana

• (U//FOUO) Michigan HIDTA task forces seized 3,878 kilograms of processed marijuana/plants in 2022, compared to 6,406 kilograms in 2021, which is a 65% decrease.
• (U//FOUO) Marijuana continues to be the most readily available drug in the State of Michigan due to the legalization of recreational and medical marijuana. However, black market marijuana is still being trafficked.
• (U) According to the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA), Michigan’s cannabis market has grown to a powerhouse status with nearly $2.3 billion in sales for 2022.

Emerging Trends

• (U//FOUO) According to Michigan State Police forensic laboratory data; aside from heroin and fentanyl, the most common drug mixture in 2022 was fentanyl and fluorofentanyl (215 identifications).
• (U//FOUO) According to drug teams surveyed, 76% reported counterfeit pills are available within their AOR compared to 62% in 2021.

Drug Trafficking Organizations

• (U//FOUO) In 2022, Michigan HIDTA task forces investigated 264 Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) and Money Laundering Organizations (MLOs) compared to 270 DTOs/MLOs in 2021, which is a 2% decrease. Of the 264 investigated, 108 DTOs/MLOs were dismantled or disrupted, which is indicative of the strong DTO/MLO presence in the region and a strong, organized law enforcement response.
• (U//FOUO) The most notable sources of narcotics supply for Michigan are Mexican drug cartels, specifically the Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).

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