BUSTS OF METH LABS UP IN FLORIDA, BUT NOT BREVARD

A police raid on a methamphetamine lab in Titusville on Thursday was an
example of what authorities are saying is a bigger problem: The number of
meth labs broken up in Florida has increased from 33 in 2001 to 66 through
June this year.

Methamphetamine -- a potent central nervous system stimulant -- is the
primary drug of concern in Central Florida, said Joe Kilmer, public
information officer for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Also known as "crystal meth," "ice" and "speed" in its different forms, the
physically and mentally addictive drug is a white, odorless powder that
easily dissolves in water. It's becoming increasingly popular among rural
people at lower socio-economic levels who usually snort the drug, although
it also can be injected, smoked or taken orally, Kilmer said.

The DEA has seen an explosive upturn in small meth labs similar to the kind
that led to the arrest of Titusville residents Ashley Marion, 19, and
Edward Jay Mahurin, 35 in a Titusville hotel Thursday.

"It's what's called a mobile lab," Titusville Special Investigator Jim
Fickey said. "It means you carry all you need to make the drug in a few
suitcases or coolers in the trunk of your car."

These "quick cook" labs allow drug dealers and users to produce an average
of between 11/2 to 2 ounces of meth per batch in a matter of hours, Kilmer
said. Most of the drug's ingredients -- which can include ether, isopropyl
alcohol, anhydrous ammonia and starter fluid -- are available in stores.

"You can find the recipe on the Internet," Kilmer said. "Then it's a matter
of getting a hold of the chemicals, or similar chemicals."

The meth labs are not a growing problem in Brevard County, said Lt. Mike
Wong of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Unit.

"Meth is probably among the lesser-used drugs in our county," Wong said.
The sheriff's office hasn't busted a meth lab in at least the last two
years, Wong said.

Still, a small amount of methamphetamine has been seized in Brevard, Wong said.

In April, sheriff's agents arrested 34-year-old Michael Anthony Revell of
Mims and charged him with pulling out three of his wife's teeth with his
bare hands. Police believed Revell had ingested a large quantity of
methamphetamine before the incident.

While no one has died from using methamphetamine in Brevard this year.
There were two meth-related deaths in 2001, according to the county medical
examiner's office. Both of these cases involved the use of multiple drugs.

Cocaine, crack cocaine and marijuana are among the highest-used illegal
drugs in the county, Wong said.

Along with a rise in meth labs, federal agents have seen more multi- pound
shipments of meth coming into Central Florida, Kilmer said. Many of these
shipments "come through Mexico, into California and across the country into
Central Florida," Kilmer said.

The street value of meth in Central Florida is about $60 to $80 dollars a
gram, which is about the same cost as cocaine, Kilmer said.

To combat the drug problem, the DEA has a large meth task force that
operates in Central Florida. City, state and federal officials also work
together to deal with the issue, Kilmer said.

Earlier this year, the DEA held a national methamphetamine awareness tour,
in which its agents traveled to 30 states to discuss combined law
enforcement and community solutions to meth drug problem.