HOUSE PASSES BILLS ON METH DEALERS, LABS

The House voted on Monday to give prosecutors a heavier book to throw at
dealers and manufacturers of amphetamines and methamphetamines.

Rep. Emma Devillier's three-part package of proposed laws would also make
operators of illegal drug labs pay for the cleanup of their chemicals and
would hit them for running their shops with children in the house.

Devillier, D-Plaquemine, said she was carrying the bills at the request of
local prosecutors to clarify laws on methamphetamines and amphetamines.

Methamphetamines are powerful stimulants that have been growing in
popularity among drug users and dealers.

Devillier's House Bill 1015 strengthens the criminal penalties for
distribution of amphetamines and methamphetamines. It keeps a fine of up to
$50,000 but makes the first two years of the two-to-30-year sentence to be
served without benefit of parole, probation or suspension.

House Bill 1011 would make criminal the creation or operation of a
laboratory for unlawful manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance.

That includes methamphetamines, for which traffic has grown in Louisiana,
and which is commonly and easily made in makeshift labs that can be
anywhere from a house to the back of a van.

Many of the chemicals commonly used to make meth are extremely dangerous to
handle.

HB1011 would outlaw the sale, purchase, transportation or just about any
other handling of the chemicals and equipment needed to make such drugs, if
the actions are taken with the intent of setting up or running an illegal
drug lab.

The penalties would include five to 15 years of prison time and a fine of
up to $25,000.

Beyond that, the law would require people convicted to pay the government
the costs of cleaning up whatever hazardous waste they deal with in
clearing out the labs.

Devillier's HB1014 changes the crime of cruelty to a juvenile to include
intentional and negligent exposure of anyone under the age of 17, including
unborn children, to clandestine drug labs.

Lack of knowledge of the juvenile's age or the existence of an unborn child
would not be a defense under the law for someone over the age of 17 who is
convicted.

The penalties would be up to $1,000 and up to 10 years in prison.

The trio of bills goes to the Senate for further action.