DRUG ENFORCERS PROBE STRAWBERRY-METH CASE

A recent drug seizure in Lawrence County marks the Mississippi Bureau
of Narcotics' first case of flavored crystal methamphetamine in the
state.

Authorities suspect powdered strawberry Quik, a drink mix, was used in
the manufacturing of the substance. Laboratory testing is ongoing.

Hosie Anthony Carter Preston of Jefferson Davis County was arrested by
MBN during a traffic stop on June 22 on U.S. 84 in Monticello, said
Delores Lewis, spokeswoman for the Mississippi Department of Public
Safety.

One gram of methamphetamine, 3 grams of marijuana, a Glock 9mm
semi-automatic pistol and $16,000 were seized, MBN Director Marshall
Fisher said.

"As seizures go, 1 gram is small. But we don't like to see a new
marketing technique come in," Fisher said. "It could be something
we'll never see again. But in all likelihood, we probably will."

The strawberry Quik-flavored drug has been reported in California,
Texas, Minnesota, Missouri, Idaho, Nevada and New Mexico, according to
information provided to MBN by the Drug Enforcement Administration,
Fisher said.

While this is the agency's first reported case, it is possible the
drug has been found in the state before and was not reported to MBN,
Fisher said.

"We don't really see a trend for strawberry Quik meth in the state
now, but our influx sources may bust wide open in a few months,"
Fisher said. "Meth is still a problem in Mississippi."

"It has traditionally been a poor man's cocaine."

Marijuana is the most-used drug in the state, followed by cocaine and
methamphetamine, Fisher said.

The number of seizures of methamphetamine labs is down 65-75 percent,
Fisher said.

He attributes that to a law enacted in 2005 that limits sales of
over-the-counter medicines containing pseudoephedrine and similar
substances used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

But the influx of "Mexican" or "ice" methamphetamine, which is
manufactured in facilities called "super labs" that produce large
volumes of the substance, has increased, Fisher said.

"You may not have taken chemistry in high school or college, but you'd
be able to manufacture meth," Fisher said.

Ingredients used in its manufacture include iodine, ether, ephedrine,
lithium, Freon, sodium metal and sulfuric acid.