Snap 08-20-07

Methamphetamine Awareness and Prevention Project of South Dakota

METH Awareness And Prevention Project of South Dakota

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August 20, 2007

In Missouri - A 21-year-old man accused of Meth trafficking pleaded not guilty to federal charges. The suspect faces five charges, including conspiracy to distribute Meth, distribution, and using telephones. He faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years to life in prison and a $4 million fine if convicted on the distribution counts.

In Kentucky – Officers investigating a tip about possible Meth manufacturing visited the home of a man on parole from a previous Meth conviction. The 52-year-old gave officers permission to search his property, and they found several items they say are related to Meth making in his home, an outbuilding and nearby woods. Among the items they seized was a notebook containing a Meth recipe entitled "Meth Manufacturing by Uncle Fester," a 30-pound propane tank that contained suspected anhydrous ammonia, a pill grinder, digital scales, muriatic acid, lithium batteries and several empty boxes of cold pills. The parolee was arrested – five weeks before completing his parole term.

In Illinois – A 30-year-old woman faces charges of Meth possession and aiding or concealing a fugitive, while a 28-year-old man faces a Meth possession charge. The woman was arrested while in possession of a small amount of Meth, and allegedly knew where the man was, but hid that information from officials.

In California - A driver who crossed a double yellow line and caused a triple-fatal crash was intoxicated by Meth at the time. Police say that the 23-year-old man crossed into oncoming traffic on August 1, crashing head on into a car driven by a 79-year-old man. The 23-year-old and his passenger, a 22-year-old woman, were pronounced dead at the scene. The elderly man died a shortly after being taken to a hospital.

In California – A 44-year-old man is on trial for 13-felony counts that include kidnapping for ransom, assault with a deadly weapon, a series of drug charges that stem from his alleged involvement in Meth sales, stalking, making criminal threats and violating the conditions of his parole. The self-employed carpet cleaner was allegedly a mid-level Meth dealer who sold drugs to smaller dealers, advancing them larger amounts of Meth than they could sell in order to keep them indebted to him. The stalking, threatening, assault and kidnapping charges stem from a series of incidents that began after the defendant was released from prison after serving time at San Quentin State Prison for a second drug conviction. A disagreement over items the defendant had supposedly stored with another person grew into what the prosecutor characterized as "an escalating series of threatening and harassing phone calls," including the defendant allegedly threatening to break the other person’s legs.

In Oklahoma – Officers with a new drug task force raided a home Meth lab. Authorities found Meth, material to make more, and stolen items in the home, located in a “nice” neighborhood. The lab was found in the bathroom of the house. The homeowners were both arrested.

In Kentucky - Firefighters responded to a call of a structure fire, and when sheriff’s deputies arrived on the scene, they found components of a Meth lab. Two landlords and one firefighter were taken to the hospital for exposure to Meth-making chemicals. No arrests have been made, but police have suspects in the case.

In Texas - A federal jury convicted two brothers and another man on charges related to a Meth ring. The brothers, 35- and 29-years-old, were each convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit a drug offense and one count of money laundering conspiracy. They face maximum life prison terms and $500,000 fines. Their co-defendant was convicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy and faces a maximum 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Prosecutors say that when the conspiracy was busted, about 14-pounds of Meth were seized, along with more than $300,000 and firearms.

In Kansas - Meth manufacturing items were found alongside a county road after a sheriff's office received an anonymous tip. The items included a one-gallon jug of muriatic acid propped up against a pole so it wouldn't tip over and leak. While the site has been cleaned up, officials have no suspects and do not know where the call came from.

In Florida - A 29-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were arrested on Meth charges when officers served a search warrant on their motel room. The two both had Meth on them when they were arrested, and investigators discovered an alleged Meth lab in the room. The man was on felony probation for Meth possession at the time of the raid. Officers became suspicious of the two after their names showed up frequently on the Sudafed Logs maintained by retailers.

In Indiana – Police called for help from firefighters after they pulled over a man and discovered materials to make Meth in his car, as well as a quantity of finished Meth. The man was arrested, and firefighters disposed of the materials, including a fire extinguisher filled with anhydrous-ammonia.

In Kentucky - Police officers found a Meth lab in a motel room after stopping a driver for having expired tags. The 27-year old told officers he did not have his driver’s license with him. The officer questioned him and his two passengers, eventually visiting the motel room with the suspects. Once inside, the officer found evidence of a Meth lab set up in the bathroom. Police evacuated two wings of the motel, and two officers were treated at a hospital after breathing fumes in the motel room. The 27-year-old is charged with Meth possession and complicity to manufacture Meth. One of his passengers, a 22-year-old man, was arrested on charges of Meth manufacturing and possession, as well as endangerment. An underage girl who was also in the car was released to her parents but may also face charges.