LONDON — Representatives of state and federal law enforcement agencies gathered with media members in an airplane hangar Wednesday morning to discuss the rise in methamphetamine production.
The “Meth Awareness 2009” conference was co-sponsored by the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the Kentucky State Police, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration and Appalachian HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas).
A major focus of the conference was the rise in what law enforcement officers have termed “smurfing,” or the practice of methamphetamine cooks using multiple people to purchase pseudoephedrine, a key component of the drug.
Kentucky state law limits individuals to a maximum purchase of nine grams of the substance in a 30-day period, and all purchases of the drug, a common ingredient in cold medicines, are recorded in an electronic database that collects signatures and addresses.
Dave Keller, deputy director of Appalachian HIDTA, said that his organization, which coordinates efforts between federal, state and local authorities, is pursuing felony conspiracy charges against people who knowingly purchase pseudoephedrine to give or sell to meth cooks, a message Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Denny reinforced.
“If you buy pseudoephedrine, even one box, and you know or have reason to know it will be used for manufacturing methamphetamine, you have committed a federal felony,” Denny said.
State police Capt. Kevin Payne, who commands the East Drug Enforcement Branch, which investigates drug trafficking and other drug crimes in the eastern half of the state, said state police already have neutralized 274 meth labs in the region his branch covers, which includes Madison County.
Payne said police discovered 428 meth labs last year and 210 more so far this year.
That’s up from totals in the years immediately following the 2005 enactment of the law limiting purchase of pseudoephedrine products. Payne said the number of meth lab busts fell to 328 in 2006 and 302 in 2007, after that law went into effect.
He offered the public a number of warning signs of possible methamphetamine activity, including a strong smell of ammonia, signs of chemicals being dumped, blacked-out windows, jars containing clear liquid with red or white residue and large numbers of cold medicine packages.
Payne said meth manufacturing is on the rise because so many of the ingredients are readily available.
“I think a lot of people start making meth or go back to making it because, look at the grocery list — we can all go to any department store, hardware store or even grocery store and get most of the items (used in making the drug),” Payne said. “They are common, easy-to-get items.”
Payne said many cooks are using a “shake and bake” method to make the drug by combining the ingredients in a single bottle or jar, then shaking the volatile mixture to begin the chemical reaction.
Many times, Payne said, meth cooks will use a plastic soda bottle, then after the drug is made, will seal the bottle and throw it out along roadways or in other public areas, creating a safety hazard for anyone who discovers it.
The conference also included a tour of the state police’s drug awareness trailer, which displays a model of a meth lab as well as information on how to recognize the signs of meth addiction, which include severe weight loss, loss of hair and teeth, extreme mood swings and changes in sleep patterns and eventual death.
Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@
richmondregister.com
or at 624-6694.
Local News
The dangers of methamphetamine
Federal officials: Kentucky third in nation for reports of meth labs
- Local News
-
-
BREAKING NEWS: Grand jury indicts men in double-murder
Two men accused of killing a Richmond couple for money and then hiding their bodies in graves along Tates Creek Road were indicted Wednesday on capital charges by a Madison grand jury.
Matthew Denholm, 27, and Daniel Keene, 26, were both indicted on two counts each of murder, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse charges. They also were each indicted on tampering with physical evidence and first-degree burglary charges. -
Kentucky fallen officers honored at annual ceremony
The best part about Alexandria Police Department Officer James Sticklen’s job was being able to work with kids almost every day.
He was the school resource officer Campbell County Middle School.
“He always used to say there are no bad kids, they just make bad decisions,” said his wife, Laurie. -
Shell beats Mick by 54 votes
Republican Jonathan Shell and Democrat Bradley “Bud” Montgomery will face off in November for the 36th District state representative seat.
Shell received 810 votes in Madison County, beating Republican opponent Nathan Mick by only 54 votes. -
Woman attacked on Berea College walking track
A woman on the Berea College walking track suffered minor injuries Saturday when an unknown man struck her in the face twice, according to Berea Police Public Information Officer Jake Reed.
-
Obama beats ‘uncommitted’ only by 85 votes in Madison County
President Barack Obama won the votes of slightly more than half of Madison County’s Democratic voters Tuesday in the Kentucky primary to select delegates to his party’s nominating convention.
-
Stolen saxophone recovered, two people arrested in connection with theft
Police recovered a saxophone reported stolen earlier this month and arrested two people in connection with its theft.
-
Election results
Madison Circuit Court Clerk Darlene Snyder
-
Newcomer Morgan leads city commission voting
Laura Durham Morgan led the ballot of 14 candidates Tuesday in the non-partisan primary to select eight finalists in the Richmond City Commission race. -
Snyder wins clerk’s race
Darlene Snyder won the Madison circuit court clerk’s race by nearly 400 votes Tuesday, an outcome she attributes to her campaign volunteers.
“It feels like our hard work has paid off,” Snyder said Tuesday night outside the home of A.B. Grant, the site of her victory party. Nearly four dozen supporters were hugging, cheering and high-fiving both outside and inside the home after the results came in. -
Berry kept wheels going round and round for 45 years
Madison County Schools had 29 employees retire this year, some after careers spanning several decades.
While several retirees have more than 30 years of service, only bus driver Louda Berry can boast a tenure of 45 years. - More Local News Headlines
-
BREAKING NEWS: Grand jury indicts men in double-murder
Secret Service Boss: 'I Apologize'
Giant Bull Head Draws Drivers to South Dakota
Astrodome Fades As Houston Decides Fate
Egyptians Vote in Historic Presidential Election
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Marches to 'Remember' Tornado Victims
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Cuba Waiting for Cyber Age to Come
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
