LAW ENFORCEMENT: THEFT OF CHEMICAL SHOULD BE FELONY

Local law enforcement agencies are siding with the Louisiana Farm Bureau,
which passed a resolution last week asking the state's congressional
delegation to push legislation that would make theft of anhydrous ammonia a
felony.

Members of the Farm Bureau passed the resolution due to recent thefts of
anhydrous ammonia from farms across the state.

Anhydrous ammonia, a common farm fertilizer, is an ingredient in various
methamphetamines; the most common is known as "crystal meth."

Farmers across the state have reported thefts of anhydrous ammonia,
prompting them to padlock storage tank valves.

But that hasn't always deterred thieves, said Lt. Hank Smith, commander of
the Metro Narcotics Unit of Ouachita Parish.

"They find all kinds of ways to get into the tanks," Smith said.

Monroe police chief Joe Stewart said the Farm Bureau has his support.

"Messing with that chemical is highly dangerous, especially if you don't
know what you're doing, which can put other people at risk," Stewart said.

Smith said he believes theft of anhydrous ammonia should be a felony
"because people are stealing it to make meth."

"Meth is real big here in north Louisiana, and it's dangerous for people to
handle it if they don't know how to handle it," Smith said.

Anhydrous ammonia has a boiling point of 23 degrees Fahrenheit, Smith said.

"Remember, freezing is 32 degrees (Fahrenheit)," Smith said. "If anything
on that chemical touches any part of your body, it will freeze that part of
your body, which will probably cause it to fall off."

Smith said if the chemical is inhaled at 23 degrees Fahrenheit, it could
burn a person's esophagus and lungs, which could ultimately lead to death.

In October 2000, authorities in Bonita evacuated the town after anhydrous
ammonia fumes drifted from a leaking fertilizer tank at a cotton farm.

Investigators found two butane tanks and a hose next to the half-full
30,000-gallon tank.

Investigators believe someone tried to siphon off anhydrous ammonia from
the tank to make drugs and probably left a valve open, releasing fumes from
the tank.

More than 200 people were forced from their homes.

John Shackelford, the owner of the tank, said he's glad the Farm Bureau is
pushing the congressional delegation to make theft of the chemical a felony.

"Right now, I think law enforcement is kind of crippled on the offense of
theft of anhydrous ammonia," Shackelford said. "Theft of the chemical is a
felony in Mississippi and I think Arkansas, so it should also be a felony
in Louisiana."