From The Sheriff’s Desk

            The recent Meth Lab bust down on the Grady Stephens County line is, unfortunately, a reminder of how prevalent the drug is in our area and how profitable it is to the criminal. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Stephens and Grady County Deputies and the District Six Task Force are to be commended for their diligence and attention which made this arrest possible. It is also a reminder that even when things seem normal there may be something very different going on in the background.

            It also reminded me that people need to know the warning signs that would key them to the fact that Meth may be manufactured almost anywhere, in houses, in barns, in motel rooms and even in cars. It is not a particularly difficult process and the ingredients are common items we come across every day.

            The everyday items used to make meth, when gathered together for that purpose, are called precursors. These precursors of Meth are readily available products obtained from retail, convenience, grocery, and veterinary supply stores. Over the counter cold and allergy medications often contain pseudoephedrine, the most critical ingredients in the production of methamphetamine. While pseudoephedrine is now behind the counter in Oklahoma it is easily imported from surrounding states and botanical forms of ephedrine are also available.

The manufacturing process also uses ingredients, such as lithium batteries, acetone, starter fluid, drain cleaner, rock or table salt, lye, matchbooks, rubbing alcohol, muriatic acid, gasoline additives, such as methanol, and iodine. As you can see, these are items available in many stores and most are probably in your house or garage.

            Anhydrous ammonia is another precursor commonly used in the a meth cook. However, the anhydrous ammonia is usually stolen from nurse tanks or anhydrous ammonia distribution facilities commonly operated by local farmers' cooperatives. Anhydrous ammonia is extremely dangerous since it vents as a gas at a temperature of minus 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Thieves commonly will damage the valves or hose on the distribution tanks or nurse tanks and this could cause a life threatening situation. If an unsuspecting employee or farmer is unaware of the damage to a hose they may open the valve potentially allowing anhydrous ammonia to escape and even fatally injure the individuals due to chemical and temperature burns.

The availability of the products needed for producing meth contributes to the growing meth problem in our state. Because meth users become their own drug suppliers by becoming meth "cooks”.

            If you believe that you may have information useful to Law Enforcement reference a possible Meth Lab please contact your municipal police department or the Grady County Sheriff’s Office.