MAPP-SD, a project of Prairie View Prevention Services, Inc., is a comprehensive Methamphetamine awareness and prevention project. 
MAPP-SD is dedicated to:
u   Increase awareness of Meth and the problems associated with its use, manufacture and distribution;
u Provide, at no cost, professional Meth awareness and prevention education to groups and organizations on a community, regional and statewide level;
u Be a no-cost, ongoing resource for South Dakota citizens to deal with issues rising from the manufacture, use and distribution of Meth.

June 21, 2007

In California - Police found five people packaging Meth for sales when they went to check on a parolee at his home. The primary resident of the apartment, a 28-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of maintaining a residence for trafficking and violation of his parole.  Two others, a 23-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of possession of Meth for sales.  A 20-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs without a prescription.

In Wellington, New Zealand – A tip led police to a property where they found a 35-year-old woman with Meth.  Shortly after the police arrived, a 37-year-old man showed up who also had Meth on him.  When officers investigated, they found a Meth lab on the property.  The two suspects are both charged with Meth-related crimes.

In California – Toxicology reports on the remains of a 26-year-old man who died in a fire that broke out during a standoff with law enforcement officials show both Meth and marijuana in his system.  The man died June 4 after a daylong standoff that began with a welfare checkup and ended when a fire swept through the mobile home he had occupied.  The coroner’s office reported the man’s Meth level at 0.08 milligrams per liter of blood - above the effective range, but not considered toxic.  An autopsy determined the man died of smoke inhalation.  Fire department officials are still investigating the cause of the fatal blaze.

In Kentucky - A man who was on house arrest for a previous drug conviction is now accused of new Meth crimes.  Police allegedly intercepted a package en route to his business that contained nearly half a pound of crystal Meth.  The 48-year-old is also accused of illegally possessing a number of prescription drugs and more than 80 guns found in a pair of apartments.  The suspect has a criminal history including prison time for a previous drug conviction and currently being on house arrest after being connected to a Meth lab last year. The latest investigation into his suspected criminal activity was triggered when police in California discovered the package of Meth being shipped from there to Kentucky.  Officers in both states worked on a cooperative sting to arrest the suspect.  When he was arrested, the man admitted to police he knew about the package of crystal Meth.  In addition to the drugs and guns, police confiscated three digital scales, 15 lithium batteries, seven surveillance cameras, pseudoephedrine tablets and prescription medications. The suspect’s nine-year-old daughter was in the apartment at the time of the sting and raid.  Officials called Child Protection Services and the girl was later released into the custody of her mother, with whom who she usually lives.

In Arkansas – Two men, 38- and 23-years old, were arrested after a traffic stop by state police turned into a Meth bust.  After the two were pulled over, a drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of drugs.  State police recovered 1.3 pounds of Meth that had been hidden under the liner of an ice chest. 

In California – Police searched two residences and arrested two men on Meth charges.  Officers found dismantled Meth labs in both homes.  The men, 34- and 33-years old, were both arrested on various drug charges. 

In Iowa - A 45-year-old man landed in jail after officers discovered a Meth lab in his home.  He is charged with a Class B felony of manufacturing Meth, punishable by up to 25 years in prison and a Class D felony of possession with intent to deliver, which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.  He faces enhanced charges and penalties, though, because he was allegedly cooking the Meth in the presence of a minor and his home is within 1,000 feet of a city park.

In Idaho - A 32-year-old man received a sentence of 14-years in federal prison for selling Meth. Officials began an investigation into his activities after people arrested on Meth possession charges named the suspect as a supplier.  After building their case, police obtained a search warrant for his home, where they seized a quarter-pound of Meth, some marijuana, drug scales, and $7,000 in cash.  He told the officers he had been selling Meth for five years, and estimated that over the past year he had sold an average of two to four pounds a week.  A co-defendant earlier pled guilty to drug trafficking and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug crime.  Between the two, they are believed to have sold approximately 70 pounds of Meth in the area over the last several years. 

In Florida - Three men have been arrested on charges of running Meth labs.  Authorities say three labs at three different locations were working independently but were all affiliated with each other.  The suspects, 41-, 28- and 25-years old, all face charges of Meth manufacturing and other violations.

In Texas - High levels of Meth were found in a blood sample taken from a man whose truck collided with a mule-drawn cart carrying juveniles in 2005. Four of the five youngsters were injured – two seriously -as well as one of the mules. The other mule was killed instantly. The man has been charged with two counts of intoxication assault, a felony. If convicted, he could be sentenced to two to 10 years in prison.

In Pennsylvania – Two brothers face federal drug crime charges for running a Meth lab in a personal care home.  Charges against the men include Meth manufacturing, recklessly endangering another person, risking a catastrophe, criminal attempt, endangering the welfare of children, and more.   The 27-year old pleaded guilty to three drug-related charges as part of a plea agreement; he faces up to life in prison and an $8.25 million fine when he is sentenced in September.  His 37-year-old brother is scheduled for a hearing in July. The brothers were accused of running a Meth lab in the basement of a personal care home and in a vacant home across the street.   Their parents operated the personal care home until it was shut down after the raid; the parents also own the other building.  A DEA agent testified during a preliminary hearing that officers who raided the buildings found remnants of Meth labs at each site, including five 55-gallon drums of matches.  One man admitted under questioning that he manufactured approximately one kilo of Meth over time at the lab and allegedly implicated his brother. 

In Alabama - Officers raided a Meth lab in a motel room, arresting six people and charging them with making the drug.  In addition to the Meth lab, investigators seized 40-grams of Meth, 30 OxyContin pills and an unnamed quantity of other prescription pills.

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