DRUG RAID NETS SON OF STATE OFFICIAL

The son of the director of Illinois' agriculture department was being
held Saturday in Sangamon County Jail in connection with a Downstate
raid Friday on what state police said was a methamphetamine
manufacturing laboratory.

Christopher Hampton, 30, of rural Shelby County was taken into custody
by police and ordered held Friday without bond after appearing before
a federal magistrate in Springfield.

A bond hearing is set for early this week, according to Illinois State
Police spokesman Mark McDonald.

McDonald said a drug task force headed by the state police searched
the methamphetamine lab early Friday and subsequently arrested Hampton
and others. Shelby County is east of Springfield, just south of Decatur.

Hampton's father is Joseph Hampton, Gov. George Ryan's new director of
the Department of Agriculture.

"There were some weapons confiscated," McDonald said. "There was some
methamphetamine confiscated and there was some ammonia confiscated,
apparently used in the drugmaking."

He said numerous people were involved.

McDonald confirmed that during the search, officers found chemicals
used to make the drug.

Methamphetamine can be made from over-the-counter products such as
cold medicine and household cleaners. Anhydrous ammonia, a common
though dangerous farm chemical, is another ingredient.

Hampton was arrested along with George Songer, 43, who also is jailed
in Springfield.

McDonald said it will be decided this week what federal and state
charges, if any, will be leveled against the men. Bond also is
expected to be set.

Hampton's parents reportedly attended the hearing Friday and, except
for expressing love for their son, declined to comment.