Snap 04-12-07

Methamphetamine Awareness and Prevention Project of South Dakota

METH Awareness And Prevention Project of South Dakota

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April 12, 2007

In Illinois A 25-year-old man received a six-year prison sentence for having Meth in his system when the car he was driving slammed into another vehicle on Christmas Day 2004. The victims, a 75-yaer-old woman and her 50-year-old daughter, were killed in the crash. The two women had just left a holiday celebration with family when the defendant, driving a pickup truck, crossed the center line and struck their car head on. Lab reports showed he had Meth in his system, and he admitted to using it a few days earlier. He faced a sentence range of six to 28 years, or probation. He has to serve 85-percent of his sentence. With time already served, he could be released in five-years and one month.

In Iowa Two Wyoming women, 37- and 22-years-old, were arrested on Meth charges. When they were stopped on the interstate, officers found more than 7-pounds of suspected Meth, 6-pounds of marijuana, two shotguns and a revolver. The women are charged with multiple felony counts.

In Utah Officers arrested three people in an upscale condo in a Meth and cocaine bust. Investigators seized $15,000 dollars in cash, over $100,000 dollars in Meth and cocaine, and a handful of weapons. Authorities found a number of cars with hidden compartments, apparently used to transport the drugs. The two men and one woman are believed to be in the country illegally. Three young children, ranging from four to nine years old, were placed in state custody when the adults were taken to jail. Detectives staked out the location for several months before moving in to raid the Meth trafficking operation.

In Pennsylvania Authorities arrested 11 of 16 suspects involved in a drug ring that sold and distributed as much as $1.5 million of Meth in the area. The investigation, nicknamed “Operation Zig Zag,” followed a Meth pipeline from Mexican drug gangs in America’s southwest up to Pennsylvania. Officials devoted more than a year to the operation and seized about eight-pounds of Meth, 54 guns, marijuana, cocaine, more than 3,000 prescription pills, five cars and seven motorcycles. The suspects, men and women, range in age from the mid-30s up 64-years-old.

In Washington Police investigating a report of a pickup truck parked halfway into an alley and a lot of water running from a garage led to a Meth/weapons bust. Officers who responded to the call noticed the driver’s side door on the truck was ajar and a .40 caliber handgun was sitting on the seat of the pickup. After trying to make contact with someone in the house and not being able to reach anyone, officers entered the house using a set of keys they found by the garage. They found a woman who had been inside the whole time. She said she was not the homeowner but was staying there. A man then came out of a bedroom to talk with the officers. Police noticed a lot of weapons, drug paraphernalia and some Meth around the house. The woman, who turned out to be a convicted felon, was not legally allowed around guns, so the officers began confiscating the weapons. In all, they seized about a dozen firearms, ranging from revolvers and semi-automatic handguns to bolt action rifles, semi-automatic rifles - some with 30-round magazines - and shotguns. Both the woman and man were taken into custody.

In Colorado A 23-year-old man faces charges of Meth manufacturing and distribution after being pulled over for a traffic violation. Deputies stopped him when they saw his vehicle had a damaged windshield. He couldn’t produce a driver’s license for the officers, and he had no proof of insurance. Officers searched his car and found more than 200-grams of Meth – nearly a half-pound. If he is convicted, he could face a $200,000 fine. T

In Illinois A 22-year-old man received a four-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to one count of possession of a Meth precursor. He was arrested in December after being caught stealing anhydrous ammonia. A search of his home turned up 111 grams of liquid ephedrine and 47 grams of powdered ephedrine. In exchange for his guilty plea to one count, other charges were dropped.