OKLAHOMA RANKS THIRD IN METH LABS

Arizona, Arkansas, Missouri And Nevada Also Hold Dubious Honors.

Oklahoma ranks third-highest in the nation in terms of seized clandestine
methamphetamine labs, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

And Tulsa, in particular, has a high concentration of meth labs, federal
agents say.

"I would venture to say that about 80 percent of the labs (in northeastern
Oklahoma) are in the Tulsa area," said Phillip Springer, the DEA's acting
resident agent-in-charge for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Springer said that, according to a report released last week from the DEA's
El Paso Intelligence Center, Arizona had the highest number of meth labs,
with most in the Phoenix area.

Arkansas came in second, with the heaviest concentration of that state's
meth labs near the Fayetteville area, Springer said.

Missouri -- the Springfield area in particular -- and Nevada -- especially
the Las Vegas area -- were Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.

He said he did not have specific numbers of seized labs.

"Methamphetamine is an epidemic," Springer said. "It is by far blowing away
the Medellin and Cali cocaine cartels."

The availability of materials to make crystal meth, the limited skills
needed to produce it and the lucrativeness of its sale are luring many to
construct primitive labs in their homes or even in the back of
cars, law enforcement officials say.

Because of the chemicals involved and the way they are prepared,
methamphetamine labs can be extremely dangerous, with risks of explosions
and release of poisonous gas and toxic materials.

Within Oklahoma, the federal government's Northern District -- which
comprises northeastern Oklahoma -- leads the state in seized labs. Next is
the Western District, which includes Oklahoma City, then the Eastern District.

While most labs are in "rural" areas, these often are within metropolitan
service areas, officials say.

Although Oklahoma is No. 3 in the number of meth labs seized, it is No. 2
nationally in the amount of methamphetamine seized, Springer said.
California leads the nation in amount of methamphetamine seized.

Although Oklahoma -- especially the northeastern part of the state -- has
many meth labs, those who produce the drug make relatively small quantities.

"We call these the `Beavis and Butthead' labs," Springer said.

On Monday, Tulsa County com missioners approved a grant application from the
Tulsa County Sheriff's Office for methamphetamine lab interdiction.

If the Sheriff's Office receives the $256,099 grant from the federally
funded Community Oriented Policing Services program, the county will build a
methamphetamine lab database for area law enforcement agencies.

The Sheriff's Office also would use the money to buy surveillance equipment,
start a hot line for citizens to report meth labs and conduct public
awareness campaigns.

Tim Hoover can be reached at 581-8447.