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NARRATOR: THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES MATERIAL THAT MAY
NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL VIEWERS.
DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
CONCERNED NEIGHBORS HAVE MADE A 911 CALL.
NOTHING COULD PREPARE POLICE FOR WHAT THEY FIND.
SGT. JAY BATES: I THINK THE INDIVIDUAL...
MOVED IN HERE LESS THAN A MONTH AGO.
THIS IS THE THIRD OVERDOSE THIS WEEKEND...
SO I WOULD SAY THAT YES...
THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY GOOD *** GOING THROUGH CITY OF
PORTLAND RIGHT NOW.
NARRATOR: IT'S JUST ANOTHER NIGHT IN THE
OVERDOSE CAPITAL OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
SITUATED ON THE WEST COAST OF NORTHERN OREGON...
PORTLAND IS ONE OF THE GREENEST CITIES IN THE U.S.
ITS PROGRESSIVE ATTITUDES HAVE MADE IT A MECCA FOR
AMERICA'S HOMELESS... WHO COME IN SEARCH OF FREE HANDOUTS.
MAN: YOU KNOW... PORTLAND'S PROBABLY ONE OF
THE BETTER PLACES FOR BEING HOMELESS.
NARRATOR: AND KILLER DRUGS.
MAN 2: WELL THE KIDS ARE HERE BECAUSE IT'S THE PARTY.
YOU DON'T GET IN TROUBLE.
THERE'S NOBODY TO TELL YOU DON'T DO THAT.
♪ BUSKER: I GOT UP... WHOA... WHOA... WHOA... WHOA. ♪
NARRATOR: A NEW GENERATION OF ADDICTS IS
TAKING OVER THE STREETS.
THEIR CUSTOM IS HELPING FUND THE DEADLIEST DRUG MARKET
IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
SPARKY: IF YOU DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE WITHIN YOURSELF
THEN YOU'RE JUST GONNA...
THE STREETS ARE GONNA EAT YOU ALIVE.
NARRATOR: SPARKY LEFT HOME AT 12.
SHE HAS LIVED ON THE STREETS SINCE 2003.
SPARKY: I ACTUALLY STARTED DOING *** TO STAY
AWAKE BECAUSE OF THE FACT OF WAKING UP TO (BLEEP).
AND I WAS SCARED.
NARRATOR: FOR MANY OF THESE HOMELESS KIDS ***
IS THE DRUG OF CHOICE.
SPARKY: I WAS UP FOR 24 DAYS ONCE...
I WAS A PSYCH WARD.
NARRATOR: SPARKY HAS BEEN LIVING WITH HER GIRLFRIEND
UNDER MORRISON BRIDGE...
BUT THEY'RE DESPERATE TO MOVE ON.
SPARKY: BASICALLY... SOMEBODY TRIED TO BE A SLICK
(BLEEP) AND DROVE OFF WITH EVERYTHING WE OWNED.
I CAN'T WAIT TO GET MY HANDS ON THAT (BLEEP).
NARRATOR: AS TWO LONE WOMEN...
SPARKY AND HER GIRLFRIEND ARE VULNERABLE TO ATTACKS.
THIS TIME THEY'VE HAD THEIR SLEEPING BAGS STOLEN.
THEIR ONLY OPTION IS TO WALK THE STREETS ALL NIGHT.
FOR THIS THEY NEED ***.
BUT WHEN YOU'RE HOMELESS...
FINDING SOMEWHERE TO GET HIGH ISN'T ALWAYS EASY.
SPARKY: THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY
GET AWAY WITH BEING IN THERE FOR LIKE A COUPLE OF MINUTES
WITHOUT ANYBODY SEEING YOU.
I'M NOT GONNA FEEL ANYTHING UNTIL LIKE
THREE HITS... FOUR HITS.
NARRATOR: AFTER FIVE YEARS OF *** ADDICTION...
SPARKY HAS BUILT UP A TOLERANCE.
SPARKY: AT FIRST YOU GET REALLY (BLEEP) BIG HEAD RUSH.
MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN DO ANYTHING... YOU KNOW.
LIKE INSTEAD OF GOING RUNNING FOR LIKE THREE MINUTES...
YOU CAN RUN FOR LIKE AN HOUR.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN... LIKE IT'S CRAZY.
NARRATOR: *** USERS EXPERIENCE EUPHORIA AND
INCREASED ENERGY.
SPARKY: THEN YOU GET LIKE A WARM FUZZY FEELING
ALL OVER (BLEEP).
NARRATOR: BUT IT CAN ALSO BRING ON INTENSE PARANOIA.
SHE'S CONVINCED THEY'RE BEING WATCHED.
SPARKY: WE'LL ACT LIKE WE'VE WENT TO
THE BATHROOM... OKAY.
READY.
NARRATOR: AFRAID OF GETTING BUSTED...
THEY GRAB THEIR STUFF AND MAKE A QUICK EXIT.
SPARKY: IS THERE LIKE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME WE'RE
SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE BATHROOM OR SOMETHING?
PARK SECURITY OFFICER: WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THERE?
SPARKY: I JUST GOT DONE CHANGING CLOTHES.
NARRATOR: SPARKY'S BEHAVIOR IS SUSPICIOUS.
IT'S DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF A PARK SECURITY OFFICER.
PARK SECURITY OFFICER THE THING IS...
IT'S LIKE THERE... THERE'S A LOT OF...
THERE CAN BE A LOT OF NEGATIVE THINGS THAT
GO ON HERE.
SPARKY: OH YEAH... EVERY BATHROOM YOU CAN
EXPECT SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
PARK SECURITY OFFICER: YOU GUYS HAVE A PLACE TO
BUNK DOWN TONIGHT OR SOMETHING?
SPARKY: (BLEEP) NO.
NARRATOR: CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELL-BEING...
THE SECURITY OFFICER CHOOSES TO HELP THEM OUT.
SPARKY: (BLEEP)... THANK YOU.
PARK SECURITY OFFICER: PROMISE ME YOU WILL NOT
SPEND IT ON *** ON DRUGS.
SPARKY: FIVE BUCKS ON DRUGS!
REALLY?
NARRATOR: SPARKY'S BEEN LET OFF EASY.
SPARKY: WITH THE COPS... WHEN IT COMES WITH REGARDS
TO LIKE DRUGS AND GETTING BUSTED...
THIS IS A PIECE OF CAKE.
IF THESE GUYS DON'T THINK IT'S CHILL IN PORTLAND
THEN YOU'RE TRIPPING.
NARRATOR: BUT IN THE FACE OF A GROWING DRUG EPIDEMIC...
PORTLAND'S RELAXED ATTITUDES ARE CHANGING.
HOMELESS PERSON: I'M NOT DOING NOTHING ILLEGAL HERE!
NARRATOR: TENSION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND
THE HOMELESS HAS REACHED BOILING POINT.
HOMELESS PERSON: I'M NOT DOING A THING THAT'S ILLEGAL!
NARRATOR: THE BUMBLE BEES ARE SENT IN TO
TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
HOMELESS PERSON: THEY GOT MY (BLEEP) DOG AND
THEY THREW HIM ON THE (BLEEP) GROUND!
NARRATOR: OFFICERS USE MACE TO CONTROL THE ANGRY CROWD.
[INAUDIBLE SCREAMING]
HOMELESS PERSON: WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
NARRATOR: ONCE A FRIENDLY CITY...
PORTLAND NOW HAS VIOLENCE SPILLING ONTO ITS STREETS.
LOCAL POLICE ARE ALSO CRACKING DOWN ON A DRUG
PROBLEM THAT'S GOTTEN OUT OF HAND.
TEQUILA: SO THIS IS PIONEER SQUARE AND THIS IS WHERE A
LOT OF OUR ADDICTS AND DEALERS WILL HANG OUT.
NARRATOR: THE STREET CRIMES UNIT IS ON PATROL...
KEEPING THE CITY'S DRUG HOTSPOTS UNDER SURVEILLANCE.
TEQUILA: SOMETIMES YOU'LL SEE SOMEBODY WALK THROUGH AND
HEAD NOD AND YOU'LL SEE A GROUP OF PEOPLE FOLLOW.
SO THEY'LL GO A COUPLE OF BLOCKS WHERE THEY
THINK THEY HAVEN'T BEEN SEEN...
UM AND MAKE THE DEAL AND THEN COME RIGHT BACK
AND DO IT AGAIN.
NARRATOR: IN DOWNTOWN PORTLAND...
DEALERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF CHEAP
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.
DRUG HOTSPOTS HAVE MUSHROOMED ALONG THE MAX
TRAIN LINE WHERE DEALERS MAKE THEIR DELIVERIES TO USERS.
TEQUILA: THEY PANHANDLE HERE... UM...
TO MAKE THEIR MONEY TO GET THEIR DRUGS.
SO IT'S JUST PRETTY COMPACT AND CONVENIENT.
NARRATOR: THE STREETS ARE FULL OF REPEAT OFFENDERS.
COPS AND USERS ARE ON FAMILIAR TERMS.
BRANDEN: HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I ARRESTED YOU?
USER: ENOUGH SO THAT I KNOW YOU AND YOU KNOW ME...
SO THAT I CAN ASK YOU FOR CRACK.
NARRATOR: TEQUILA AND BRANDEN HEAD TO ONE OF
PORTLAND'S TOURIST SPOTS... A FAMOUS DONUT SHOP.
AN INFORMANT HAS REVEALED THAT A NOTORIOUS
*** DEALER LIVES IN AN APARTMENT UPSTAIRS.
TEQUILA: SO THERE'S GONNA BE A GROUP ON OUR LEFT.
BRANDEN: THEY RECOGNIZE THE VAN...
DID YOU SEE THAT?
TEQUILA: YEAH.
BRANDEN: GO AND (BLEEP) YOURSELF!
NARRATOR: AN ANGRY CUSTOMER HAS SEEN THE
PLAINCLOTHES UNIT AND BLOWS THEIR COVER.
BRANDEN: HOW YOU DOING?
CUSTOMER: CAN I HELP YOU.
BRANDEN: NO... CAN YOU... CAN I HELP YOU?
CUSTOMER: CAN I HELP YOU?
TEQUILA: THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT UNHAPPY WITH
US RIGHT NOW... UM... BECAUSE THEIR DEALER'S
NOT GONNA COME DOWN WHILE WE'RE HERE.
NARRATOR: UNDER THE COPS' WATCHFUL EYES...
STRUNG OUT CUSTOMERS ARE LED INTO THE DEALER'S APARTMENT.
CUSTOMERS CONTINUE TO FLOOD TO THE DOOR.
TEQUILA RECOGNIZES A REGULAR.
TEQUILA: SHE USES MOSTLY ***.
NARRATOR: DESPERATE FOR A FIX...
THE CUSTOMER YELLS UP TO THE DEALER'S WINDOW.
BRANDEN: THAT GIRL... SHE'S PISSED WITH THAT CHICK
CAUSE SHE YELLED OUT (BLEEP) HIS NAME.
NARRATOR: WITH THEIR COVER BLOWN...
THE OFFICERS ARE FORCED TO CHANGE TACTICS.
A SECOND UNIT TAKES THEIR PLACE.
COP: YEAH... I'M WATCHING RIGHT NOW AT THE SAME SPOT.
NARRATOR: MORE AND MORE CUSTOMERS *** ON
THE DEALER'S DOOR DESPERATE FOR A FIX.
AS THE LURE OF EASY MONEY BECOMES TOO BIG FOR
THE DEALER TO IGNORE... THE DEALER STEPS OUT.
BRANDEN: HE'S WALKING THE BLOCK.
SHE'S FOLLOWING.
TEQUILA: LOOKS LIKE HE'S GOT A GROUP OF USERS FOLLOWING.
UM... MOST LIKELY HE'S ABOUT TO GO ROUND THE
CORNER AND MAKE THE DEAL.
NARRATOR: TEQUILA AND BRANDEN SPOT HIM IN
AN ALLEY NEARBY.
BRANDEN: IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT LITTLE EATING AREA.
THERE'S A BIG OLD GAGGLE.
NARRATOR: THE DEALER AND HIS CUSTOMERS USE THE
TOURISTS AS COVER.
TEQUILA: HE'LL COME TO AND FROM HIS APARTMENT
GRABBING ONLY WHAT HE NEEDS...
SELL THAT AMOUNT... TAKE THE MONEY BACK UP.
BRANDEN: HEADING BACK UP TO 3RD WITH EVERYBODY IN TOW.
NARRATOR: WITHOUT SEEING MONEY CHANGE HANDS THE COPS
CAN'T MAKE AN ARREST.
BRANDEN: WE CAN TRY TO PICK OFF ONE OF THE PEOPLE
THAT WE SAW WALKING WITH HIM.
AND WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THE DRUGS AND GET ... WELL...
HELP US GET IN (BLEEP).
NARRATOR: THEN A STROKE OF LUCK.
THE SECOND UNIT SPOT WHAT LOOKS LIKE A DEAL.
COP: AND HE'S GOING IN HIS APARTMENT...
SHE'S OFF NORTHBOUND.
I'M GONNA FOLLOW HER.
NARRATOR: BRANDEN AND TEQUILA FALL IN BEHIND ONE
OF THE CUSTOMERS.
BRANDEN: WE'RE GOING TO CONTACT THIS GIRL.
NARRATOR: THE GIRL CROSSES THE STREET FORCING
THE OFFICERS TO ABANDON THEIR CAR AND
PURSUE HER ON FOOT.
TEQUILA: STOP!
NARRATOR: SHE DOESN'T GET FAR...
AS A CYCLE OFFICER SWOOPS IN.
TEQUILA IS QUICK TO SEARCH HER.
GIRL: I HAVEN'T HAD ANY MONEY.
I HAVEN'T... I HAVEN'T BOUGHT ANYTHING ALL DAY.
NARRATOR: SHE HAS NO DRUGS IN HER POSSESSION...
BUT AS A KNOWN DRUG USER...
THEY RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK.
BRANDEN: WE HAVE A WARRANT... WE HAVE A WARRANT.
GIRL: OH I DO?
WHY... FOR WHAT?
BRANDEN: DANGEROUS DRUGS.
TEQUILA: OKAY.
SO I'M GONNA WALK YOU OVER HERE TO THE CAR.
NARRATOR: THE SUSPECT FAILED TO SHOW UP FOR TREATMENT ON A
PREVIOUS DRUG CHARGE AND HAS A WARRANT OUT FOR HER ARREST.
TEQUILA: SO MOST LIKELY SHE WAS BUYING FROM OUR TARGET.
UM... SHE GAVE HIM MONEY...
HE WENT UP TO HIS APARTMENT...
I'M SURE SHE WAS GONNA ...
HAD INSTRUCTION TO MEET HIM SOMEWHERE ELSE AND OBVIOUSLY
HE DIDN'T CATCH BACK UP WITH HER YET.
NARRATOR: POLICING AT THIS LEVEL IS A FRUSTRATING PROCESS.
BRANDEN: IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO MAKE AN ARREST
AND BOOK 'EM INTO JAIL.
AND BEFORE WE'VE EVEN DONE OUR PAPERWORK THEY'LL BE OUT.
TEQUILA: YOU KNOW IN HOCKEY WHEN YOU GET A PENALTY
AND YOU GO TO THE PENALTY BOX...
I THINK THAT'S KIND OF WHAT WE DO.
WE PUT 'EM IN THE PENALTY BOX FOR THEIR THREE MINUTES
AND THEN THEY'RE BACK.
NARRATOR: THE CITY'S RELAXED DRUG POLICY HAS
LEFT DEALERS FREE TO ROAM THE STREETS.
FOR THOSE WITH AMBITION...
DEALING IN PORTLAND IS A BUSINESS THAT
RINGS OFF THE HOOK.
[PHONE RINGS].
PHONE VOICE: YOU HAVE 2,375 NEW MESSAGES.
CRYSTAL SEED: I GOT TO CALL THIS DUDE MAN.
HEY... SO WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO WHEN I GET THERE?
NARRATOR: CRYSTAL SEED SELLS UP TO FOUR OUNCES
OF *** A DAY.
HE USED TO BE ONE OF PORTLAND'S STREET KIDS...
NOW HE'S A BIG TIME *** DEALER.
HE'S ON HIS WAY TO MEET HIS MEXICAN SUPPLIER
IN ONE OF PORTLAND'S SUBURBS.
CRYSTAL SEED: USUALLY I WOULDN'T COME OUT HERE AT
THREE IN THE (BLEEP) MORNING.
I'VE JUST GOT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SO MUCH ON MY
(BLEEP) *** ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW!
NARRATOR: A *** DEAL OF THIS SIZE IS ALWAYS RISKY...
CRYSTAL SEED: MY BOY'S SMART...
HE DOESN'T SELL NOTHING TO NOBODY OUT HERE.
SO IT'S NOT LIKE HE'S (BLEEP) IN HIS OWN BACK YARD.
NARRATOR: IN THE *** GAME FOR OVER 10 YEARS...
CRYSTAL SEED HAS SEEN THE BUSINESS TRANSFORM.
CRYSTAL SEED: THE BEST (BLEEP) THAT I'VE EVER DONE
WAS ALWAYS LIKE FROZEN APPLE JUICE.
COOKS HERE MADE IT AND THAT'S WHAT IT CAME OUT LIKE.
CAUSE... YOU KNOW... BEFORE IT WAS WAY BETTER.
NARRATOR: PORTLAND HAD A BOOMING INDUSTRY
BASED ON LOCAL LABS.
CRYSTAL SEED: THE FEDS PUT A...A BAN ON ALL THE
PSEUDO-EPHEDRINE PILLS AND THAT JUST FLIPPED
THE WHOLE GAME UPSIDE DOWN.
NARRATOR: IN 2006... PSEUDO-EPHEDRINE BECAME
PRESCRIPTION ONLY.
WITHOUT THE KEY INGREDIENT THE LOCAL *** INDUSTRY
DISAPPEARED OVERNIGHT...
AND THIS OPENED THE DOOR FOR THE CARTELS.
CRYSTAL SEED: AND THEN ONCE THEY TOOK THE PILLS AWAY
IT JUST ALL TURNEDINTO MEXICAN CARTEL CATS RUNNING IT.
NARRATOR: MEXICAN DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATIONS
LINKED TO THE SINALOA AND KNIGHTS TEMPLAR CARTELS HAVE
INFILTRATED PORTLAND...
MONOPOLIZING ALL SUPPLY LINES INTO THE CITY.
CRYSTAL SEED: YOU WANNA HAVE A MEXICAN...
THAT'S WHAT YOU CALL IT.
THEY'RE THE BEST PLUGS... CONNECTIONS... WHATEVER.
ALRIGHT... SO I'M GOING TO BOUNCE OUT CAUSE
I'M GONNA MEET MY GUY.
NARRATOR: DEALERS ARE EASY TARGETS FOR STICK UP CREWS.
CRYSTAL SEED CHANGES CARS AND LOCATION.
HE'S USING COUNTER SURVEILLANCE MEASURES TO
AVOID BEING TAILED.
CRYSTAL SEED: THIS IS THE FINEST...
GRADE 'A' UNCUT BOMBAY ***.
IT'S LIKE BIG... CLEAR PIECES OF COOKIE CUTTER
IMAGE OF WHAT YOU (BLEEP) SEE IN YOUR MIND WHEN
SOMEBODY SAYS CRYSTAL.
NARRATOR: USERS ASSOCIATE THE CRYSTAL SHAPE
WITH PURITY AND STRENGTH.
FOR CRYSTAL SEED IT DOESN'T COMPARE TO THE HOME-GROWN
PORTLAND *** HE USED TO GET.
CRYSTAL SEED: THAT'S THE THING WITH THE OLD DOPE
THOUGH IT WOULD KEEP YOU UP LONGER FOR MORE DAYS YOU'LL
SEE ALL THESE LIKE...JUST SKELETONS WALKING AROUND...
JUST THINKING THEY'RE THE BADDEST (BLEEP)
ON THE PLANET.
I DON'T REALLY GET WEIRD OFF THIS (BLEEP) AND START
DOING THE CHICKEN AROUND THE ROOM OR NOTHING.
NARRATOR: WITH THE DECLINING QUALITY...
CRYSTAL SEEDS SELLS HIS DOPE CHEAP TO KEEP THE
CUSTOMERS COMING BACK.
CRYSTAL SEED: THIS RIGHT HERE IS ABOUT I'D SAY
IT'S A LITTLE OVER A 16TH.
SOME PEOPLE PAY 80-90 BUCKS FOR THIS...
I USUALLY CHARGE ABOUT 60.
THERE'S CATS THAT WAIT FOR ME FOR DAYS WITH THEIR MONEY
CAUSE THEY KNOW I'M GOING TO GIVE THEM A
PROPER DEAL... UNCUT.
NARRATOR: HE HAS NO INTENTION OF CLIMBING
THE DRUG LADDER.
THE MEXICANS HAVE A TOUGH REP.
THE HIGHER YOU GET...
THE FURTHER YOU FALL.
CRYSTAL SEED: A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO BE KNOWN AS THE
"GUY WITH THE BAG."
I DON'T GIVE A (BLEEP) ABOUT ALL THAT.
I WATCHED THE PEOPLE LIKE ON A HIGHER LEVEL THAN ME...
I'VE WATCHED THEM ALL ROTATE AND DROPPING LIKE
FLIES OUT HERE.
NARRATOR: THE MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS HAVE TAKEN OVER...
FORCING COPS IN SUBURBIA TO UP THEIR GAME.
COP: EVERYBODY READY TO ROCK 'N ROLL?
COP 2: YEAH.
COP: EVERYONE GOT THEIR EQUIPMENT?
COP 2: YEAH.
NARRATOR: JUST 12 MILES FROM PORTLAND ACROSS THE
WASHINGTON STATE LINE...
LOCAL TASK FORCE IS MOVING ON A MEXICAN *** RING.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: THIS ACTUALLY IS A PRETTY
DANGEROUS OPERATION.
MOST PEOPLE THAT HAVE THEIR DOOR COME CRASHING IN ON 'EM
AT 5:30 IN THE MORNING ARE GONNA BE SCARED.
WE'RE GONNA BE VERY...
VERY CAREFUL ABOUT ANY OF THESE PEOPLE THAT ARM
THEMSELVES IN A PANIC.
NARRATOR: THE DRUG TASK FORCE HAS HAD THIS GROUP OF
MEXICANS UNDER SURVEILLANCE FOR 10 MONTHS.
A HIDDEN CAMERA HAS FILMED THEIR EVERY MOVE.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: THE KINGPIN OF THIS LOCAL
OPERATION IS A MEXICAN NATIONAL.
NARRATOR: THE RINGLEADER IS KNOWN AS JUAN AND
HIS OPERATION SHIFTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS' WORTH OF *** EVERY MONTH.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: HE RUNS HIS CREW OF
RUNNERS OUT OF AN AUTO BODY REPAIR TYPE BUSINESS.
NARRATOR: ALL OF HIS RUNNERS ARE MEXICAN NATIONALS...
MOST ARE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: HE'S BRINGING DOPE FROM MEXICO.
THEY'RE SPLITTING IT UP... WE BELIEVE... AT THE SHOPS
AND THEN DISTRIBUTING IT THROUGHOUT THE
PORTLAND-VANCOUVER AREA.
NARRATOR: TODAY THE COPS ARE SERVING SIX WARRANTS
ON SIX DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
THE AIM... TO CRIPPLE THIS MASSIVE DRUG RING
IN ONE FELL SWOOP.
COP: THIS IS THE POLICE... WE HAVE A WARRANT.
OPEN THE DOOR!
THIS IS THE POLICE... WE HAVE A WARRANT!
OPEN THE DOOR... OPEN THE DOOR!
OPEN THE DOOR.
HIT IT... HIT IT! ON THE FLOOR...
ON THE FLOOR!
ON THE GROUND!
POLICE... SEARCH WARRANT!
NARRATOR: CARTEL MEMBERS ARE USUALLY HEAVILY ARMED.
POLICE HAVE TO SECURE THE HOUSE FAST.
COP: HANDS OUT.
HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM NOW!
HANDS ON YOUR HEAD.
NARRATOR: THEY CATCH ONE OF THE DRUG RUNNERS ASLEEP.
BUT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S WAITING FOR THEM UPSTAIRS.
COP: IT'S THE POLICE...
ANYBODY UPSTAIRS COME DOWN RIGHT NOW.
NARRATOR: IT'S A FULL HOUSE.
WITH 12 FAMILY MEMBERS DOWNSTAIRS...
THE HOUSE IS CLEAR.
THE TWO MAIN TARGETS ARE IN CUFFS.
COMMANDER COOKE CALLS IN THE CANINE UNIT.
THIS IS JUST THE START.
THERE ARE FIVE OTHER STASH LOCATIONS TO HIT.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: WE MAY FIND MONEY... UM...
BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING I THINK HERE WE'LL JUST
FIND DOCUMENTS OF IDENTIFICATION.
NARRATOR: THE CANINE ZEROES IN ON SOMETHING IN
THE KINGPIN'S BEDROOM.
COP: THIS IS CASH THAT WAS FOUND IN A SAFE UNDER OUR
MAIN TARGET'S BEDROOM.
FROM LOOKING AT IT THERE'S PROBABLY AT LEAST MAYBE 10 TO
20,000 IN HERE.
NARRATOR: IN A NEARBY GARDEN SHED OFFICERS MAKE
A DISTURBING DISCOVERY.
WITH THE WALL SPATTERED IN BLOOD...
BONES AND FEATHERS ARE ALL THAT REMAIN OF THE ANIMALS
SLAUGHTERED ON THIS SACRIFICIAL ALTER
TO JESUS MALVERDE.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: THEN HERE WE HAVE
JESUS MALVERDE... PATRON SAINT OF DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
OUR HEAD HONCHO HERE... OUR BAD GUY...
IS WEARING SOME JEWELRY ROUND HIS NECK WITH...
JESUS MALVERDE'S PICTURE ON IT.
SO... HE'S... HE'S THE REAL DEAL.
NARRATOR: NOW THEY NEED TO FIND THE DRUGS
TO PROVE IT.
WHILE ONE TEAM SEARCHES THE DRUG RUNNERS' HOUSES...
THE OTHER FOCUSES ON THE DISTRIBUTION HUB OF THE DRUG
RING WHICH OPERATES OUT OF AN AUTO BODY REPAIR BUSINESS.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: WELL WE'RE HOPING TO FIND DOPE
IN HERE BECAUSE ALL THE BUYS WE'VE DONE THE DOPE HAS
COME FROM THESE SHOPS...
DIRECTLY OUT TO THE BUY LOCATION AND THEN THE RUNNERS
COME BACK TO THE SHOP.
NARRATOR: THE WORKSHOP WAS ALSO USED TO PREPARE
CARS FOR TRAFFICKING DRUGS.
COP: TO ACCESS THE TRAP IN THIS VEHICLE...
THE DRIVER NEEDS TO PERFORM A SERIES OF STEPS.
ONE... FOOT ON THE BREAK;
TWO... PRESS THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE;
THREE... PRESS THE DEFROST BUTTON;
FOUR... PRESS THE TRIGGER INSIDE THE FUSE BOX.
ON PRESSING THE TRIGGER; IT RELEASES THE TRAP COVER WHICH
IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE HAPPENS TO BE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM.
NARRATOR: A THREE HOUR SEARCH REVEALS OTHER
PIECES OF EVIDENCE.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: DOWN IN THIS TIRE THERE'S
AN ELECTRONIC SCALE...
VERY COMMON IN THE DRUG TRAFFICKING WORLD...
NOT SO COMMON IN THE AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS.
NARRATOR: BUT THE KILLER EVIDENCE COMES FROM THE
DRUG RUNNER'S HOUSE JUST BLOCKS AWAY.
COP: THIS IS THE DOPE THAT WAS FOUND AT
THE OTHER LOCATION.
IT WAS IN A... LIKE A THERMOS CONTAINER.
A LITTLE OVER 40 OUNCES.
NARRATOR: THE DRUG RING IS SMUGGLING ITS *** IN
A NEW AND INVENTIVE WAY... IN LIQUID FORM.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: IT'S A VERY SIMPLE PROCESS
OF PUTTING THE LIQUID FORM IN SOME TYPE OF CONTAINER
AND THEN ADDING ACETONE AND BASICALLY HARDENS
IT UP INTO ROCK.
NARRATOR: USING THE RUNNER'S HOUSE AS A CONVERSION LAB...
THE DRUG RING HAS THE CAPACITY TO MAKE MULTIPLE
POUNDS OF *** A WEEK.
THE MAIN STASH IS SO WELL DISGUISED...
IT TAKES DAYS FOR THE COPS TO HIT THE MOTHER LOAD.
COP: WE'LL GET AN ACCURATE WEIGHT WHEN WE GET
BACK TO THE OFFICE BUT ROUGHLY 10 POUNDS.
NARRATOR: IT SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO PUT THIS KINGPIN
BEHIND BARS FOR LIFE... BUT IT'S NO COINCIDENCE THAT
THE MEXICANS ARE SETTING UP ACROSS THE STATE LINE
IN WASHINGTON.
COMMANDER MIKE COOKE: THE STATE OF WASHINGTON...
IF HE'S AN ILLEGAL ALIEN AND IT'S A NON-VIOLENT
DRUG OFFENSE... HE'S LOOKING AT A SHORT TRIP TO
OUR STATE PRISON AND THEN JUST A DEPORTATION TO MEXICO.
IN THAT CASE HE'S LOOKING AT REALLY... UM...
JUST A MINOR HICCUP IN HIS DRUG TRAFFICKING ORGANIZATION
AND THEN START AT IT AGAIN.
NARRATOR: WITH CARTEL MEMBERS ONLY FACING DEPORTATION...
THE PORTLAND AREA IS A SOFT TARGET AND
RIPE FOR EXPANSION.
USING THE SAME SUPPLY NETWORK ESTABLISHED FOR ***...
THE MEXICANS ARE NOW PUSHING A DRUG EVEN MORE
PROFITABLE AND FAR MORE DEADLY... ***.
SCOTT: I'LL TELL YOU WHAT ...
IF I KILL A JUNKIE FROM A OVERDOSE...
MY NAME WILL BLOW UP AS A DEALER AND I'LL SELL
WAY MORE DOPE.
SCOTT: IT'S CALLED GUNPOWDER ***.
GUNPOWDER IS RELATIVELY NEW.
NARRATOR: SCOTT IS COOKING UP GUNPOWDER...
A TYPE OF *** IN HIGH DEMAND ON THE
STREETS OF PORTLAND.
SCOTT: THE INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS CAN BE
FOUND IN MEXICO AND MEXICANS THEY REALLY MAKE
THIS IN THEIR BACKYARD.
IT'S INCREDIBLY CHEAP.
NARRATOR: THE MEXICANS ARE USING GUNPOWDER TO EXPLOIT AN
UNTAPPED MARKET IN PORTLAND... PAIN PILL ADDICTS.
SCOTT: PEOPLE WANTS THE PRESCRIPTION PILLS BUT
THEY'RE SUPER EXPENSIVE.
PILLS RUN OUT... SO WHERE DO YOU TURN TO?
YOU TURN TO ***.
NARRATOR: AFTER A GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN IN 2010
THE SUPPLY OF PRESCRIPTION PILLS DRIED UP.
THE MEXICANS SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY AND FLOODED
PORTLAND WITH CHEAP AND VERY POTENT *** CREATING A
MASSIVE MARKET FOR THEIR DEADLY PRODUCT.
SCOTT: WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS WE'RE GONNA
TURN 2 AND A HALF GRAMS INTO 3 AND A HALF GRAMS.
NARRATOR: BY ADDING CUT... SCOTT INCREASES HIS PROFIT.
SCOTT: YOU'RE MOVING 200 BAGS OF *** A DAY...
YOU KNOW... YOU'RE DOING ABOUT $4,000 WORTH
OF BUSINESS A DAY... 50% OF THE PROFIT.
IT ADDS UP... IT ADDS UP.
YOU DON'T NEED TO BE THE KINGPIN OF *** TO MAKE A
(BLEEP) REAL NICE LIVING.
I USE ONE GRAM OF CUT PER EVERY SEVEN GRAMS OF DOPE.
NARRATOR: ALTHOUGH SCOTT CUTS HIS *** WITH SUGAR
TO BULK UP HIS PROFITS...
HIS BUSINESS TACTICS ARE ANYTHING BUT SWEET.
SCOTT: IT'S ABOUT LETTING THEM TRY YOUR PRODUCT.
BECAUSE I GOT IT SO CHEAP MAKING MY BAGS DOUBLE THE
SIZE OF EVERYBODY ELSE'S.
HANDING OUT FREE 20 BAGS.
AND WHEN PEOPLE DO THAT TO PEOPLE WHO
HAVEN'T USED BEFORE... THEY KNOW DAMN WELL THEY
WILL REPEATEDLY COME BACK TO YOU.
NARRATOR: ONCE THEY'RE HOOKED...
SCOTT STILL HAS TO KEEP REELING IN THE CUSTOMERS.
SCOTT: WHEN YOU DO GET THIS GRAINY LIKE KIND OF
SANDY LOOK ON YOUR DOPE...
A LOT OF JUNKIES DO LIKE THAT.
WHEN YOU GET IT JUST RIGHT IT KIND OF BLENDS IN TO
WHERE YOU WOULD NEVER EVEN KNOW IT WAS IN THERE.
AND THE ONLY WAY YOU KNOW IT'S IN THERE IS WHEN YOU DO
IT AND YOU CAN TASTE IT.
[SPITS].
TASTES LIKE *** TO ME.
NARRATOR: MEXICAN SUPPLIERS MAINTAIN A LOW PROFILE
BY ALLOWING LOCAL DEALERS LIKE SCOTT...
TO SELL THEIR PRODUCT ON THE STREETS.
SCOTT: IF YOU ARE THE DRUG DEALER WHO HAS
THE GOOD DOPE... HAS THE STEADY CONNECTION...
ALWAYS HAS IT; YOU ARE THE (BLEEP)!
AND THAT ALL DEPENDS UPON YOUR MEXICAN.
YOUR MEXICAN CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOUR EMPIRE.
NARRATOR: THE MEXICANS' DESIRE TO STAY OFF THE POLICE
RADAR HAS ALLOWED DEALERS LIKE SCOTT TO BUILD UP
THEIR OWN NETWORKS.
BUT THESE EMPIRES ARE BUILT ON MISERY.
SCOTT: I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE MAJORITY OF MY
CUSTOMERS ARE HOMELESS KIDS...
SPEND BETWEEN $50 TO $200 A DAY ON ***.
I NEED THE HOMELESS KIDS OF PORTLAND TO
SUPPORT HOW I LIVE.
AND I KNOW I'M DESTROYING PEOPLES LIVES...
IT'S PART OF THE (BLEEP) JOB.
NARRATOR: WHILE THOSE IN THE DRUG TRADE ARE
MAKING A KILLING...
IT'S PORTLAND'S YOUNG WHO ARE PAYING THE ULTIMATE PRICE.
ELLEN: WE'VE BOTH OD'D LIKE A LOT.
A LOT... A LOT... A LOT.
NOT TO THE POINT OF DEATH BUT WE'VE BOTH BEEN IN THE
HOSPITAL A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIMES BECAUSE OF IT.
ETHAN: YOU WANNA (BLEEP) DRIVE?
ELLEN... HERE.
ELLEN: I'M STARTING TO GET SICK RIGHT NOW.
I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING SINCE LAST NIGHT AT LIKE
THREE IN THE MORNING.
ETHAN: YOU DIDN'T SAVE YOURS FOR THE MORNING?
ELLEN: NO.
MY NOSE IS JUST RUNNY AND I'M LIKE SWEATY.
NARRATOR: ELLEN AND ETHAN ARE HOMELESS AND BROKE.
THEY'VE BORROWED A CAR TO RACE ACROSS TOWN TO
TRY TO SCORE SOME ***.
FINDING MONEY FOR DRUGS IS A DAILY BATTLE...
BUT ETHAN HAS A UNIQUE HUSTLE TO KEEP THEM WELL.
ELLEN: A LOT OF WHAT WE GET...
ETHAN LIKE TATTOOS FOR.
SIX TO EIGHT BAGS A DAY.
NARRATOR: BUT THERE'S ONLY ONE DEALER WILLING TO
TRADE DOPE FOR TATTOOS.
ETHAN'S DESPERATE TO REACH HIM.
ETHAN: YOU'RE RE-UPPING RIGHT NOW?
WHERE ARE YOU AT?
I CAN COME PICK YOU UP TO COME BACK.
ETHAN: HE'S A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK SO EVERYBODY
WANTS HIS (BLEEP).
NARRATOR: THEY MEET HIM AT BUSY PIONEER SQUARE
WHERE THE DEALER DELIVERS BY BIKE.
IT'S THE PERFECT COVER FOR DRUG DEALING.
ELLEN: SO YOU SCORED?
ETHAN: YEAH.
WELL WE HAVE ENOUGH GAS... WE SHOULD GO SOMEWHERE COOL.
NARRATOR: ETHAN AND ELLEN DRIVE TO THEIR FAVORITE PART
OF TOWN TO SHOOT UP.
ELLEN: THIS IS THE SPOT.
NARRATOR: THE COUPLE IS PART OF THE NEW GENERATION
OF AMERICAN ADDICTS...
HOOKED ON *** AFTER ABUSING PILLS.
ELLEN: I DID A LOT OF PILLS AND THEN I MOVED UP HERE AND
I STARTED DOING *** CAUSE IT'S WAY CHEAPER.
NARRATOR: THEY HAVE SHARED THEIR ADDICTION AND
THEIR DRUGS SINCE MEETING IN REHAB IN 2010.
ETHAN: THIS IS CALLED PIGGYBACKING.
80 HERE... I'M GONNA SPLIT IT TO 40...
SO WE BOTH HAVE 40.
NARRATOR: YEARS OF DRUG USE MEAN ELLEN'S VEINS HAVE
COLLAPSED MAKING THEM HARD TO HIT.
SO ETHAN DOES IT FOR HER.
AS THE *** RUSHES INTO HER SYSTEM...
ELLEN IS RELEASED FROM HER NAUSEA AND COLD SWEATS.
ELLEN: I KNOW I'LL FEEL BETTER IN A SEC.
WATCH HIM TAKE TWO SECONDS TO HIT.
ETHAN: AND THAT'S HOW YOU DO THAT.
NARRATOR: IT TAKES SECONDS FOR THE *** TO
FLOOD ETHAN'S BRAIN.
ETHAN: I FEEL GOOD.
ELLEN: WE'RE JUST SITTING HERE FEELING BETTER.
NARRATOR: WITH THOUSANDS OF PORTLAND'S YOUTHS
SUCCUMBING TO ***'S POWERFUL ALLURE...
LOCAL POLICE HAVE MADE IT THEIR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY TO
DISRUPT THE FLOW INTO THE CITY BY SMASHING THE LOCAL
DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: THIS GROUP HAS BEEN
DELIVERING ***... UM... FROM SALEM, OREGON
UP TO THE METRO AREA AROUND PORTLAND.
NARRATOR: IT'S SERGEANT ROBERTS' JOB TO CATCH THE
ELUSIVE RUNNERS WHO DELIVER MEXICAN *** TO
PORTLAND'S STREET DEALERS.
HIS TEAM HAS BEEN DOING SURVEILLANCE ON A RUNNER
FOR SIX WEEKS.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: THERE THEY ARE RIGHT THERE.
NARRATOR: TODAY'S THE DAY THEY TRY TO TAKE HIM DOWN.
BUT FIRST THE INFORMANT MUST LAY A TRAP.
[PHONE RINGS].
NARRATOR: PORTLAND POLICE SET UP A TRAP FOR A
MEXICAN DRUG RUNNER.
RUNNER: YEAH?
INFORMANT: HEY... WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO GO... MAN?
RUNNER: COME TO 4TH... 4TH AND OAK.
INFORMANT: 4TH AND OAK?
RUNNER: YEAH.
INFORMANT: UM... OKAY.
RUNNER: OKAY.
INFORMANT: ALL RIGHT... YOU GOT... YOU GOT
THAT FOR ME THOUGH?
RUNNER: YEAH...YEAH...YEAH...YEAH.
NARRATOR: THE INFORMANT ORDERS TWO OUNCES OF ***.
NOW THE DRUG SQUAD HAS TO FOLLOW THE RUNNER AND
CATCH HIM MAKING THE DELIVERY.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: THEY'RE IN SALEM...UM...
WE'RE EXPECTING THAT THEY'RE GONNA GET ON I-5 NORTHBOUND
TO PORTLAND TO START DOING THEIR DELIVERIES.
NARRATOR: LOCATED ON THE I-5 CORRIDOR...
*** SUPPLIERS HAVE ESTABLISHED A MAJOR HUB 46
MILES SOUTH OF PORTLAND IN SALEM.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: A LOT OF THESE RUNNERS...
THEY'VE COME INTO COUNTRY ILLEGALLY...
THEY'RE LOOKING FOR WORK AND I THINK IN MOST CASES
THEY'RE HERE LEGITIMATELY TRYING TO SEEK A BETTER LIFE.
THIS HAPPENS TO A LOT OF THESE GUYS...
SO... YOU KNOW... IN THE BIGGER PICTURE THE PEOPLE
WHO ARE MOVING LARGER SUPPLIES OF ***
INTO PORTLAND THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THOSE GUYS
ANY MORE THAN THEY CARE ABOUT THE CUSTOMERS.
IF MY RUNNER GETS TAKEN OFF...
NO PROBLEM...
I'LL GET ANOTHER ONE TOMORROW.
NARRATOR: THE DRUG SQUAD IS HOPING TO TAKE DOWN THE
WHOLE NETWORK BY FLIPPING THE RUNNER.
BUT THIS IS NOTORIOUSLY DIFFICULT.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: THESE MID AND UPPER
LEVEL GUYS... UM...
THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'RE WORKING FOR A CARTEL.
IF I RAT ON YOU MY FAMILY'S GONNA GET KILLED
DOWN IN MEXICO.
THEY'LL KILL MY... THEY'LL KILL MY MOM...
THEY'LL KILL MY WIFE... THEY'LL KILL MY DAD.
THEY'LL.. YOU KNOW... KILL MY KIDS... WHATEVER.
NARRATOR: WORKING FOR THE CARTEL IS SERIOUS BUSINESS.
RUNNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DRUGS THEY LOSE.
TODAY'S TARGET MAY BE USING COUNTER SURVEILLANCE.
FOUR UNMARKED COP CARS ARE FOLLOWING...
BUT IF THE RUNNER SUSPECTS ANYTHING...
THE WHOLE OPERATION COULD BE BLOWN.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: SO WE GOT A COUPLE OF THE
CARS WITH THEM...
WE'RE GONNA KIND OF PASS THEM BY HERE FOR THE MOMENT.
NARRATOR: SOMETHING'S AROUSED THE
RUNNER'S SUSPICIONS.
[TELEPHONE RINGS].
HE MAKES A LAST MINUTE CALL TO THE INFORMANT.
INFORMANT: WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO GO?
RUNNER: WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
INFORMANT: I'M COMING INTO DOWNTOWN RIGHT NOW.
WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO GO?
RUNNER: WELL YOU COMING ONLY YOU ARE YOU?
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: THEY CHANGED THE LOCATION ON US SO
WE'RE JUST BASICALLY RESETTING IN THE AREA OF
WHERE WE EXPECT THEM TO ARRIVE.
SINCE WE ORDERED UP A LARGER QUANTITY...
THEY MAY BE WANTING TO JUST TO DO IT IN WHAT THEY
FEEL IS LIKE A SAFER SPOT FOR THEM.
NARRATOR: WITH FOUR UNDERCOVER VEHICLES
IN PURSUIT... SERGEANT ROBERTS MOVES TO TAKE A
TACTICAL POSITION UP AHEAD.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: THEY'RE GONNA BE COMING UP
THE STREET RIGHT OVER HERE.
NARRATOR: ALL CARS MOVE IN ON THE TARGET.
[POLICE SIRENS].
THE RUNNER IS QUICKLY DETAINED...
BUT HE'S NOT ALONE.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: CODE 1 COVER CAR... 2 NORTHEAST.
COP: YOU'RE UNDER ARREST FOR DELIVERY OF *** AND WE
HAVE A SEARCH WARRANT OKAY.
RUNNER: NO UNDERSTAND.
COP: YOU WERE SELLING DRUGS.
RUNNER: OH NO.
NARRATOR: POLICE NEED EVIDENCE TO DISMANTLE THIS
COMPLEX DISTRIBUTION NETWORK.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: WE'VE GOT BOTH SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY...
BOTH OF THEM HAD *** IN THEIR PANTS.
RIGHT NOW WE'RE TALKING TO ONE OF THE SUSPECTS TO SEE IF
HE'S GONNA BE WILLING TO GIVE UP HIS SOURCE OF ***.
COP: CAN YOU CALL HIM?
CAN YOU ORDER MORE?
RUNNER: NO I DON'T KNOW HIM.
NARRATOR: WITH NO LEADS TO GO ON THE COPS NEED TO
FLIP THEM AND FAST BEFORE THEIR
BOSSES GET SUSPICIOUS.
SGT. COREY ROBERTS: THE SECOND SUSPECT WE
HAVE IN CUSTODY... UM... IS TELLING US HE'S BEEN
SELLING DRUGS FOR ONE WEEK
AND HE JUST STARTED A WEEK AGO HELPING THIS
OTHER GUY OUT.
NARRATOR: THE YOUNGER MAN IS JUST A TRAINEE.
HE COULD BE THE WEAK LINK IN THE CHAIN.
COP: HE SAID... UM...
THAT DUDE IS THE GUY WITH THE CONTACTS.
HE DOESN'T KNOW THE PEOPLE OR THE PHONE NUMBERS.
COP: ARE YOU WORKING ALONE?
RUNNER: YES.
COP: I KNOW YOU'RE NOT THE MAIN MAN...THIS I KNOW.
NARRATOR: THEY NEED HIS COOPERATION TO WORK
THEIR WAY UP THE LADDER.
COP: THIS IS WHY I'M GIVING YOU A CHANCE.
I CAN HELP YOU IF YOU CAN CALL THE BIG GUY AND
GET THIS ***.
RUNNER: IF I HELP YOU AND HE FINDS OUT HE WILL
KILL MY BROTHER.
NARRATOR: THE RUNNER IS TOO AFRAID TO TALK AND
THE OFFICERS HAVE TO LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR CLUES.
A SECOND UNIT IS ON STANDBY TO RAID THE RUNNER'S
DRUG DEN IN SALEM.
COP: POLICE... SEARCH WARRANT!
COP: POLICE... SEARCH WARRANT!
NARRATOR: POLICE RAID A MEXICAN DRUG DEN
IN SALEM, OREGON.
ALTHOUGH THE HOUSE IS EMPTY THEY FIND
MUCH NEEDED EVIDENCE.
COP: IT'S ABOUT A PIECE OF ***.
PROBABLY ABOUT 25 GRAMS.
SGT. CHRIS KENAGY: WE'VE GOT PACKAGING MATERIAL
ALL OVER THE PLACE.
WE'VE GOT SOME BALLOONS...
SO THEY ARE PACKAGING UP INTO THE THE SMALLER
INCREMENTS... THE 8THS... THE 16THS...
UM... HERE.
THE VACUUM SEAL'S PROBABLY WHAT IT CAME IN...
CAME IN OUNCES IN THAT AND THEY JUST CUT THAT RIGHT OPEN
AND REPACKAGED IT FOR HOW THEY NEED IT.
IT'S KIND OF NICE EVIDENCE RIGHT OFF THE BAT.
NARRATOR: THIS SHOWS THAT THE RUNNER ISN'T
WORKING ALONE AND THE COPS ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK
TO TAKE DOWN A BIGGER NETWORK.
SGT. CHRIS KENAGY: FOUND ABOUT AN OUNCE OF ***
A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS AND THEN WE'VE GOT SOME
CELL PHONES AND OTHER PAPER EVIDENCE...
ALONG WITH A WHOLE BUNCH OF DRUG PACKAGING...
A SCALE... JUST SOME OF THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE.
NARRATOR: IT'S A GOOD BUST FOR THE COPS.
BUT WORKING THEIR WAY UP THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS
A SLOW PROCESS.
THE MEXICANS ARE STAYING ONE STEP AHEAD...
EXPANDING INTO NEW MARKETS.
TRE: I'M IN IT FOR THE CASH BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH
MONEY TO BE MADE IT IS DISGUSTING.
NARRATOR: LURED BY BIG MONEY...
24 YEAR OLD TRE HAS SKIPPED COLLEGE TO SELL
*** FULL TIME.
TRE: IT TOOK ME ABOUT 8 YEARS TO GET TO THIS...
UM... HOOK THAT I HAVE.
WE ON THE STREETS CALL IT THE "GOLD HOOK."
THIS STUFF RIGHT HERE... UM... THAT I GOT
FROM MY HEAD HONCHO WHO I BASICALLY WORK FOR...
I'M DOUBLING MY MONEY EVERY TIME I SELL ONE.
NARRATOR: TARGETING THE CITY'S YOUNG POPULATION...
MEXICAN SUPPLIERS ARE NOW USING COLLEGE KIDS
TO DEAL FOR THEM.
TRE: AND IT'S NOT JUST THE COPS YOU HAVE TO
LOOK OUT FOR... IT'S THE BUSINESS OWNERS.
YOU KNOW... PEOPLE SEEING A HAND-IN-HAND SHAKE THERE...
YOU KNOW... THEY'RE NOT OBLIVIOUS;
THEY KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
NARRATOR: DEALING OUT IN THE OPEN MEANS THAT TRE
HAS TO CONCEAL HIS DRUGS CAREFULLY.
TRE: THE REASON WHY I CARRY THEM IN MY MOUTH IS
BECAUSE IF I GET STOPPED...
UM... I SWALLOW THEM...
SO THEREFORE... UM... YOU KNOW... THE COP CAN STOP
ME AND I HAVE NOTHING ON ME.
AND THAT'S HOW THEY COME WRAPPED...
JUST IN A... YOU KNOW...
A BALLOON LIKE THAT.
NARRATOR: AT THE FIRST SIGN OF TROUBLE TRE CAN
SWALLOW THE *** HE'S CARRYING.
TRE: AND THAT'S WHY THEY'RE IN A PLASTIC TOO AND
TIED TWICE SO THEY DON'T BREAK IN YOUR STOMACH...
THEY JUST GO THROUGH YOUR SYSTEM.
I MEAN THAT YOU JUST HAVE A BOWEL MOVEMENT...
THEY COME RIGHT BACK SO YOU CAN PICK 'EM BACK
OUT AND YOU SELL IT.
NARRATOR: BUT AS DEMAND FOR HIS PRODUCT HAS SOARED...
TRE'S BEEN FORCED TO CHANGE THE WAY HE OPERATES.
TRE: WHAT'S HAPPENING... MATE?
YEAH... WHAT DO YOU NEED?
YO... GO TO THE (BLEEP) HOTEL.
OKAY... THEN I'LL HAVE MY GIRL YELL FOR YOUR NAME
AND SHE'LL DROP IT DOWN IN A CIGARETTE PACK TO YOU
OUT THE WINDOW...
ALL RIGHT?
NARRATOR: TRE'S TAKING A STEP BACK FROM STREET DEALING.
TRE: SEE HIM?
GIRL: YEAH... COME HERE... THERE YOU GO.
NARRATOR: HE WANTS THE CASH WITHOUT THE RISK.
AND HE'S FOUND AN EASY SOLUTION.
TRE: I HAVE RUNNERS...
SO I'M NOT OUT THERE IN THE PUBLIC AND I'M
NOT IN THE PUBLIC EYE.
I GIVE THEM SIX AT A TIME.
ONE FOR THEM TO DO AND FIVE FOR THEM TO SELL.
AND ONCE THEY BRING ME BACK THE $100... UM...
THEN I GIVE THEM ANOTHER...
ANOTHER SIX.
NARRATOR: TRE'S RUNNERS ARE COLLEGE KIDS
HOOKED ON ***.
HE SAVES MONEY BY PAYING THEM IN DOPE.
TRE: AT THE END OF THE NIGHT WHOEVER'S IN FIRST PLACE...
IT'S JUST A LITTLE COMPETITION WE HAVE
UM... GETS... GETS PAID... YOU KNOW...
MORE AT THE END OF THE NIGHT.
NARRATOR: THE MORE HIS RUNNERS PUSH...
THE MORE PROFIT HE MAKES.
BUT DEALING TO THE YOUNG AND INEXPERIENCED IS RISKY.
TRE: A LOT OF PEOPLE TEND TO LIE AND GLORIFY
THEIR USAGE: OH NO... MY HABIT'S THROUGH THE ROOF.
BRO... I CAN TOTALLY HANDLE THIS.
AND THAT'S JUST ALL A BUNCH OF...
BLOWING SMOKE UP THEIR ***.
WITH MY POTENT STUFF THEY GO AND DO SHOT...
NEXT THING YOU KNOW... BAM... THEY'RE BACK...
THEY'RE EYES ARE ROLLING BACK OF THEIR HEAD...
THEIR LIPS ARE TURNING BLUE AND THOSE ARE THE
COUPLE OF SIGNS OF OD'S.
NARRATOR: TRE'S PRAGMATIC ABOUT CUSTOMER CARE.
TRE: HERE IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK ALL
DRUG DEALERS SHOULD HAVE.
THESE ARE... UM... INJECTABLE NALOXONE.
IT'S WHAT THE HOSPITAL GIVES YOU WHEN YOU OD.
THEY PUMP IT IN INTO YOUR SYSTEM AND BRINGS YOU RIGHT
OUT AND PUTS YOU INTO COMPLETE SICKNESS.
NARRATOR: KEEPING CUSTOMERS ALIVE GUARANTEES
REPEAT BUSINESS.
TRE: I'VE KNOWN FRIENDS THAT ARE NOW IN PRISON
BECAUSE SELLING DOPE TO SOMEONE WHO DIES...
THAT PERSON CAN BE CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER AND
END UP DOING SOME YEARS.
NARRATOR: TRE WANTS TO STAY OUT OF JAIL...
BUT HE'S HOOKED ON THE PROFIT.
TRE: THE CASH... THE CONTROL... THE POWER...
THE WANT THAT PEOPLE NEED WHAT I HAVE.
I'M ADDICTED TO THE HUSTLE.
NARRATOR: *** TURNS DEALERS INTO MERCILESS PROFIT
HUNTERS WHO PREY ON THE WEAKNESS OF OTHERS TO
TURN A FAST BUCK.
BUT FOR THOSE ON THE STREET...
ESCAPE ISN'T EASY.
ELLEN: SO... I'M NOT FEELING TOO GOOD.
JUST WAIT JUST A SEC.
ELLEN: I'M NERVOUS.
ETHAN: DON'T BE NERVOUS.
NARRATOR: 6:30 AM.
ELLEN AND ETHAN HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD A MOTEL ROOM
FOR THE NIGHT.
ELLEN: I AM THIS MORNING TRYING TO GET INTO DETOX.
HOPING THAT I'M NUMBER ONE ON THE WAIT LIST AND
THAT I'M GETTING IN TODAY.
NARRATOR: TO GET INTO DETOX ELLEN CAN'T HAVE OPIATES
IN HER SYSTEM.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS.
ELLEN: THAT'S ADDERALL AND SOME SLEEPING PILLS
LIKE TRAZODONE...
JUST SOME STUFF TO WARD OFF LIKE FEELING SICK.
NARRATOR: A COCKTAIL OF UPPERS AND DOWNERS ARE
KEEPING HER TOGETHER...
BARELY.
AND THE WORST OF WITHDRAWAL IS YET TO COME.
ELLEN: BEING DOPE SICK IS LIKE THE WORST FLU YOU'VE
EVER HAD TIMES LIKE A THOUSAND.
YOU KNOW... JUNKIES DO ANYTHING TO AVOID IT.
BECAUSE BEING DOPE SICK IS JUST LIKE HELL.
ETHAN: I'M STILL TRYING TO GET INTO DETOX ALSO...
SO I'M STILL IN LIMBO AND I'LL CONTINUE TO BE IN LIMBO
IF SHE GETS IN.
NARRATOR: DEMAND IS HIGH FOR BEDS AT DETOX CENTERS...
SO ETHAN HAS TO WAIT HIS TURN... ALONE.
ELLEN: 7:02... WE'VE GOTTA GO.
NARRATOR: IT COULD BE SIX MONTHS BEFORE
THEY ARE TOGETHER AGAIN.
ELLEN: I'LL CALL YOU IF I CAN.
IF I GET IN.
WE'LL SEE.
NARRATOR: ETHAN WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH HIS ADDICTION
ON HIS OWN.
HIS FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN.
ELLEN: IF YOU WANNA GET CLEAN HERE THERE'S LOTS
OF WAYS TO DO IT.
DEPENDS ON HOW BAD YOU WANT IT AND GETTING YOUR (BLEEP)
TOGETHER AND GETTING UP THE BALLS TO ACTUALLY DO IT.
NARRATOR: ELLEN HAS FACED DEATH TOO MANY TIMES.
SHE'S DESPERATE TO GET OUT.
THIS IS HER SEVENTH TIME IN DETOX.
ELLEN: THIS IS THE ONLY WAY FOR ME TO GET CLEAN
IS TO LOCK MYSELF IN A FACILITY.
NARRATOR: TREATMENT IS THE FIRST STEP IN A LONG AND
PAINFUL RECOVERY PROCESS.
LEAVING THE STREETS DOESN'T GUARANTEE AN
ESCAPE FROM ADDICTION.
THOSE IN RECOVERY ARE OFTEN THOSE MOST AT RISK.
MEANWHILE... ON PORTLAND STREETS THE COPS
CONTINUE TO PICK UP THE PIECES.
SGT. CORY ROBERTS: IT'S 1:40 IN THE MORNING AND
WE GOT A CALL ABOUT 45 MINUTES AGO ON EXPECTED
OVERDOSE IN DOWNTOWN PORTLAND AT
AN APARTMENT BUILDING.
NARRATOR: SERGEANT ROBERTS HAS BEEN CALLED TO A
SUSPECTED OD AT A BUILDING THAT OFFERS HOUSING
TO RECOVERING ADDICTS.
SGT. CORY ROBERTS: THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OF EVIDENCE
WE GATHERED FROM THE ROOM UPSTAIRS...
IT'S HIS NEEDLES... HIS COOKER... IT'S BROWN...
UM... WHERE HE COOKED THE *** UP BEFORE HE SHOT IT.
NARRATOR: FOR THOSE WHOSE RECOVERY FAILS...
THE RISKS ARE EVEN GREATER.
SGT. CORY ROBERTS: THEY GO OFF THE ***.
THEY'VE BEEN CLEAN FOR A WHILE...
THEY GO BACK ON TO THE *** AND WHEN THEY GO BACK
THEY TAKE THE SAME DOSAGE THAT THEY WERE TAKING
WHEN THEY WERE ON ***.
WHEN THEY USE THAT SAME AMOUNT THEIR BODY'S NOT USED
TO IT BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN CLEAN FOR A WHILE
AND THEY OVERDOSE.
SGT. CORY ROBERTS: IT'S 2:00 IN THE MORNING AND
A GUY WHO'S 32 YEARS OLD IS DEAD BECAUSE HE
USED *** LAST NIGHT.
I WANNA HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR MAKING THEIR
MONEY OFF THE BACKS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ADDICTED.
NARRATOR: AS THE WAR BETWEEN COPS AND
DEALERS ESCALATES... THE NUMBER OF YOUNG CASUALTIES
IS ON THE RISE.
PORTLAND'S CITY SERVICES ARE BEING STRETCHED
TO THE LIMIT.
♪ BUSKER: OUT IN THE STREETS THERE ARE PEOPLE... ♪
♪ THEY'RE DYING. ♪
♪ THEY DON'T CARE AND CRYING. ♪
♪ OH LORD. ♪♪