Snap 02-08-07

Methamphetamine Awareness and Prevention Project of South Dakota

METH Awareness And Prevention Project of South Dakota

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February 8, 2007

In Michigan - A 41-year-old man faces charges of operating a Meth lab from a garage at an adult foster-care home. The charges are in addition to earlier counts of Meth possession. Police found the lab after the suspect was arrested on outstanding warrants for possession of Meth and assault with a dangerous weapon. He had Meth ingredients and a gun in his possession when he was arrested. Police don't expect to charge anyone else at the home in connection with the Meth lab, including the owner. The state Department of Human Services is investigating the foster home, where elderly people – some with mental illnesses – live.

In Iowa - The Iowa State Highway Patrol arrested two men after a traffic stop that turned into a Meth bust. A drug task force was called in to help with the investigation when 10.4 ounces of Meth was found in the vehicle. Both men were charged with intent to deliver over five grams of Meth and a failure to file the required drug tax stamp. The two also admitted they were illegal aliens from Guatemala.

In Alabama - Police arrested a 45-year-old man in connection with what they call a major Meth lab. Investigators found the operational lab in a mobile home. They also seized marijuana and crystal Meth.

In California - A 45-year-old man faces drug, firearm and child endangerment charges after undercover detectives arrested him in connection with Meth sales. When officers searched his home, they found around 1.5 pounds of crystal Meth packaged for sale, about $3,000 in cash, bookkeeping records and two firearms. The search and arrest was the culmination of a month-long investigation into Meth sales in the area. Two children, ages 11 and 13, were found in the home and taken into protective custody.

In Michigan - Police are concerned that that thieves who broke into a discount store stole items to produce Meth. Whoever broke into the store knocked out the glass on the store’s front door, went inside and stole more than $300 worth of ephedrine- or pseudoephedrine-based, behind-the-counter, liquid cold medicine. The suspects then emptied a garbage bag for their loot, grabbed eight or nine bottles of bleach and several boxes of bags before leaving the store. The police chief believes the theft could be Meth-related based on what they took.

In Iowa - A Meth cook who escaped police by jumping from a cliff in 2003 was convicted of attempting to manufacture Meth after a prior felony conviction, of being a felon in possession of a firearm and of carrying a firearm in connection with a drug trafficking crime. Jurors made their decision after two days of trial and four hours of deliberation. The defendant is facing up to life in prison and a $2.5 million fine.

In Ontario, Canada – Officials were considering an order to evacuate a small portion of a town to clean up a site strewn with Meth lab waste. A contractor using a backhoe stumbled across the site. As he was digging, the contents of several 45-gallon drums and other containers filled with unknown chemicals mixed and a cloud of gas was released. The contractor became ill and was taken to hospital. Authorities are concerned that in moving the items, the backhoe may well have covered up some containers. They know of six to 10 garbage bags of an unknown solid chemical, 10 to 12 five-gallon buckets of a liquid and a number of 45-gallon drums. During an investigation by hazardous-materials specialists, some chemicals mixed and a noxious cloud was released described as the height of a telephone pole and a quarter of a block long. If the evacuation is ordered, homeowners may be asked to stay away for eight to 12 hours. The evacuation area is close to a major highway that may also be closed during the clean up.

In Illinois –A 34-year-old man was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in operating a Meth lab. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of Meth manufacturing chemicals. He was one of six people arrested in a November raid, where officers found about 1,400 grams of Meth in liquid form in the garage of the home. The defendant was also ordered to pay court costs and will receive credit for the time he has served since his arrest.

In North Carolina - Authorities arrested three people in connection Meth production. A 64-year-old man is charged with manufacturing and possessing Meth and Meth precursors. In a separate incident, a 26-year-old and a 20-year-old were arrested for possessing Meth with intent to sell. One faces an additional charge of possessing iodine.