PRICE OF DRUGS, PROSTITUTES ON THE RISE, BEAUMONT COPS SAY

The price of vice is going up along with gas and food.

Southeast Texas law enforcement officials said drug peddlers these
days are charging more for less, and prostitutes are charging more
for their services as well.

For Beaumont drug dealers, the price of doing business is higher here
than the state average, according to the most recent numbers released
by the Drug Enforcement Agency.

Violet Szeleczky, Houston DEA public information officer, said kilo
prices for cocaine and marijuana have increased as a result of
problems smuggling the drugs across the border.

In fact, three months ago, Szeleczky said the average price of a kilo
of cocaine was between $15,000 and $19,000, but as of two weeks ago,
the cheapest kilo was going for $17,800.

That's a deal compared to Beaumont, where the most recent price for a
kilo of cocaine was $25,000.

DEA numbers also showed a pound of commercial grade marijuana ranged
from $300 to $600 statewide, versus $700 in Beaumont.

"It's riskier to get the drugs out to Beaumont," Szeleczky said.
"There's a lot of interdiction on I-10 between there and Houston."

The smuggling problems have nothing to do with a lack of product and
don't appear to stem from increased security, according to the DEA.

"It appears to be an organizational problem," Szeleczky said
regarding the drug cartels.

As a result, "They're moving the drugs over in smaller amounts," she said.

The smaller amounts mean longer wait times for dealers trying to
restock. And, of course, in the spirit of capitalism, the cost
incurred by the dealers is passed on to the consumers.

"Drug prices always go up and down, and right now we're at a peak,"
Szeleczky said.

In and around Beaumont and Port Arthur, local narcotics officers said
while they've seen a gradual bump in drug prices, the bang for the
buck has dwindled.

"You're getting less dope for your money," said Detective Randy Moss
of the Beaumont Police Department.

He used a "cookie" of crack cocaine, which used to be an ounce, or 28
grams, and cost $400 to $500, as an example. The cookie still is the
same price but now is as small as 12 grams in Beaumont.

Maj. Jimmy Singletary of the Jefferson County Narcotics Unit said his
department typically sees 17- to 18-gram cookies, but anything better
than that is rare.

"Unfortunately, the demand is always going to be there, so it's a
matter of supply," Singletary said. "And drug dealers are running a
business, so they have to adjust."

Port Arthur street crimes Sgt. Scott Gaspard remarked on the same
problems as the others, but pointed out there's another illegal
industry that's raising prices - prostitution.

For instance, Gaspard said oral sex, which has traditionally gone for
$5, is now $15.

Gaspard and his unit are baffled as to why the prices have risen.

"It can't be gas, because none of them have cars," he said.