Snap 06-14-07

Methamphetamine Awareness and Prevention Project of South Dakota

METH Awareness And Prevention Project of South Dakota

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June 14, 2007

In South Dakota - The South Dakota Supreme Court says trash stashed for collection at the curb was fair game for a police officer investigating a drug-related disappearance – allowing evidence first gathered in the garbage and later from a suspect’s home to be used against him on Meth charges. Police report finding drugs in the home after learning that the suspect had an argument over a debt with a man who disappeared three years ago. Three people have since been found guilty in connection with that man’s disappearance. The suspect denied any involvement in the missing man case, but he will now stand trial on charges of Meth possession.

In Mississippi – A former police officer apologized to her family, fellow officers and her community before being ordered to spend 41 months in federal prison for drug trafficking on the job. She said her ex-husband introduced her to Meth, then after their divorce she quit using and became a cop. But she was unable to resist the lure of Meth. A two-year undercover investigation led to her arrest in 2006 on drug trafficking charges. As part of a plea bargain, the government dropped four counts in exchange for her guilty plea. FBI agents used confidential informants to catch the woman arranging, buying and selling Meth from several buyers and at least three different suppliers, including one described as a major Meth dealer in the area. Agents say they saw her making some deals while she was on duty; they also say she often went to work under the influence of Meth and dealt drugs from her patrol car.

In California – A multi-agency team rounded up dozens of suspected Meth users and dealers during the past two weeks. Police arrested 73 people, some of whom had warrants out for their arrests.

In Tennessee – When an officer tried to pull over a car, the driver sped off instead of stopping. After a short chase, the driver pulled into the driveway of a house. The driver and another man ran from the scene. An investigation revealed a very large Meth lab in the home. The suspects are still on the loose.

In Oregon – Police arrested three people for Meth charges after serving search warrants at two homes. During the searches, officers seized Meth, scales, packaging materials, a stolen vehicle and stolen tools. Prosecutors asked for, and received, high bail amounts in the hope that the suspects will indeed show up for their court dates. The two women suspects have bail set at $515,000 and $15,000; the man who was arrested had bail set at $1,230,000.

In Texas – A state trooper pulled over a driver who was going 96 mph in a 65 mph zone. When the officer patted down the driver, a 27-year-old man, he found a small piece of crystal Meth in his pocket. That led to a full search of the car, where he found a boxed Meth lab and a plastic bag holding a pound and a half of crystal Meth. The driver was arrested on a first-degree felony charge that carries a possible life sentence. The suspect has been out on parole for the past two years on a previous drug conviction. Also in Texas, sheriff’s narcotics officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant and ended up finding a functioning Meth lab. Two brothers, 45- and 42-years old, were arrested on first-degree felony charges. Investigators say there were enough materials to make two to three kilograms of Meth.

In Wyoming – A 26-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance and conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. Officers had been investigating the two for about a month, and had information that they were transporting drugs. When they were pulled over, officers found about a half-pound of crystal Meth.

In California - A defense attorney who pleaded guilty to possession of Meth for sale surrendered his law license and was sentenced to seven months in jail. The 50-year-old had been arrested for investigation of accepting a one-pound bag of Meth from an undercover deputy.

In Louisiana - A doctor who operated a medical clinic was sentenced to 30 months in prison on federal Meth charges. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute Meth. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration began investigating the doctor after a drug informant reported selling Meth to him.

In Vancouver, Canada - A possible Meth lab dump led to the evacuation of a neighborhood for several hours. Police and fire crews were called after transit workers noticed a fire in a dumpster. Officers found what they believed to be red phosphorous. Four firefighters and three transit workers became ill from the fumes, but were treated and released.