LAWMEN ASK FOR MERCHANTS' HELP

In the wake of a large-scale roundup of over 100 alleged methamphetamine
traffickers in Warren and surrounding counties, law enforcement officials
are asking merchants to assist them in fighting the meth epidemic.
Specifically, authorities want merchants to be careful what they sell to
customers, especially those who seek to purchase potential meth-making
items in bulk.

"The drug methamphetamine is easily producing by purchasing common
household chemicals, diet supplements, cold medications and various
solvents," the Southeast Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force announced
this week. "With your assistance and vigilance we can dramatically reduce
the availability of these substances to those in our community who would
seek to use these items for manufacturing meth instead of the manufacture's
intended purpose."

The task force emphasized two area merchants, including one from
neighboring Coffee County, have been arrested for knowingly selling meth
components to drug traffickers.

According to District Attorney General Dale Potter, local merchants have
been advised of the dangers of selling potential meth components in bulk.

"Things like matches in bulk, pseudoepherine, large amounts of brake
cleaners, iodine, acetone, Red Devil lye and bulk containers of Coleman
fuel are tip-offs," Potter said. "If merchants make a conscious effort to
limit these sales, we can make some progress."

Potter said he is convinced most merchants are acting responsibly; however,
he said there are some businesses which are still selling freely to
meth-makers.

"There is at least one business here and another in Van Buren County we're
looking at," Potter said. "The feds have already made some arrests of
merchants and we're going to take a close look at those who are selling
these items in bulk to these folks. In the future we could develop some
conspiracy cases against them."

Potter said the easiest avenue is if merchants voluntarily limit their
sales of meth component items.

"They need to be more concerned about the community than money," Potter said.

The task force is asking merchants to report suspicious sale of the
aforementioned meth-making materials to authorities.

They also say by posting signs at store counters, warning customers
suspicious purchases may be reported, that customers, purchasing the
ingredients for illegal actions, may be less likely to try to purchase the
materials.

Anyone having information on illegal drug activity may report their
suspicions to any of the local law enforcement agencies or the DA's office
at 473-9572.