NEW METH CRAZE ON THE RISE

Though the use of lithium strips has long been used in the
manufacturing of methamphetamine across the nation, Coffee County
Sheriff's Department officials say it is increasing in popularity in
the county.

In recent drug raids by the Coffee County Sheriff's Department and
Enterprise Police Department, officers have found manufacturers using
lithium strips from batteries to speed the production of
methamphetamine in a sort of one-step process. The lithium, when
placed in a bottle with pseudoephedrine, ammonia-nitrate and/or other
chemicals, makes a fiery and gaseous reaction that quickly makes
methamphetamine.

Following the reaction, a manufacture is left with burned lithium
strips and methamphetamine if the reaction goes smoothly.

Using lithium can be dangerous.

CCSD Sgt. Tony Harrison said the reaction becomes extremely hot and
the bottle expands, risking the possibility of an explosion.

The gases released by the chemical reaction, said EPD narcotics
officer Darrel Griswold, are also poisonous.

The risks do not outweigh the benefits many addicts believe
manufacturing offers while under the effect of the stimulant drug.

Three weeks ago Griswold and Officer Daniel Stowe arrested 38-year-old
[name redacted] on Ouida Street in Enterprise and charged her with
manufacturing a controlled substance in the second degree, according
to Enterprise arrest reports.

Crook was utilizing the use of lithium to "cook" her methamphetamine,
according to Griswold.

Harrison and CCSD deputies raided a home Friday evening in the
Victoria community where lithium was also being used to manufacture
methamphetamine.

No arrests have been made at this time.

The individual was seen leaving his home with a minor before officers
were able to take him into custody.

His name is being withheld pending an arrest.
Pubdate: Wed, 01 Sep 2010
Source: Southeast Sun
Author: Melissa Braun Sun Staff Writer
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our editors
may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who have not been
convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise public figures or
officials.

NEW METH CRAZE ON THE RISE

Though the use of lithium strips has long been used in the
manufacturing of methamphetamine across the nation, Coffee County
Sheriff's Department officials say it is increasing in popularity in
the county.

In recent drug raids by the Coffee County Sheriff's Department and
Enterprise Police Department, officers have found manufacturers using
lithium strips from batteries to speed the production of
methamphetamine in a sort of one-step process. The lithium, when
placed in a bottle with pseudoephedrine, ammonia-nitrate and/or other
chemicals, makes a fiery and gaseous reaction that quickly makes
methamphetamine.

Following the reaction, a manufacture is left with burned lithium
strips and methamphetamine if the reaction goes smoothly.

Using lithium can be dangerous.

CCSD Sgt. Tony Harrison said the reaction becomes extremely hot and
the bottle expands, risking the possibility of an explosion.

The gases released by the chemical reaction, said EPD narcotics
officer Darrel Griswold, are also poisonous.

The risks do not outweigh the benefits many addicts believe
manufacturing offers while under the effect of the stimulant drug.

Three weeks ago Griswold and Officer Daniel Stowe arrested 38-year-old
[name redacted] on Ouida Street in Enterprise and charged her with
manufacturing a controlled substance in the second degree, according
to Enterprise arrest reports.

Crook was utilizing the use of lithium to "cook" her methamphetamine,
according to Griswold.

Harrison and CCSD deputies raided a home Friday evening in the
Victoria community where lithium was also being used to manufacture
methamphetamine.

No arrests have been made at this time.

The individual was seen leaving his home with a minor before officers
were able to take him into custody.

His name is being withheld pending an arrest.