METH MAKERS MOVING TO MORE REMOTE SITES

Operators of meth labs in Southern Illinois appear to be changing their
mode of operation in an effort to throw law enforcement officials off their
trail. In Wayne County police are starting to see fewer and fewer suspected
meth labs being operated inside homes or vehicles.

The move lately has been to load up all the necessary ingredients in
30-quart plastic beer coolers and hide the entire lab in as remote a
location as possible.

Wayne County sheriff's officers recovered two suspected "beer cooler" meth
labs in the past two days, hidden in a culvert in a remote part of the county.

Neighbors saw something suspicious and called police. Inside, police found
large plastic jugs that resembled gallon-size Tupperware containers full of
chemicals in the midst of a "cook."

"We're starting to see 'blue meth' now," said Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy
Sonny McCulley. "The dope gets its blueish tint from the use of high octane
automotive racing fuel instead of camper fuel and ether."

Authorities say the move away from operating meth labs in cars and in
houses stems from recent decisions by the courts to seize vehicles and
homes used in the drug trade.

The change in operation can be dangerous though, especially to innocent
residents who stumble upon these labs.

Many of the coolers contain a quantity of anhydrous ammonia that can be
deadly if inhaled or spilled on the skin.

Other ingredients may include ether and flammable liquids such as camper
fuel or explosive racing fuel.

Authorities are asking landowners to keep a close eye on their property and
to report any suspicious activity to police.

Monday night, authorities reported two suspicious fires that may be related
to the manufacture of meth.

West of West Salem, Ill., in Edwards County, a barn was destroyed by fire.
Southwest of Bolyeston in Wayne County, a two-story vacant farm home was
destroyed by fire. The state fire marshal's office is currently
investigating the house fire.