COMMON FERTILIZER KEY TO METH PRODUCTION

The Quiet Allure Of Rural Communities Might Seem Far Detached From The Hell
Of Crystal Meth. But As Farmers Go About Their Daily Business, A Fertilizer
Used In The Drug's Manufacture Could Be Disappearing Without So Much As The
Blink Of An Eye.

Lloydminster Meridian Booster -- The quiet allure of rural communities
might seem far detached from the hell of crystal meth. But as farmers go
about their daily business, a fertilizer used in the drug's manufacture
could be disappearing without so much as the blink of an eye.

That's why the Kitscoty RCMP and Rural Crime Watch are taking a proactive
stance to halt thefts of anhydrous ammonia, a key ingredient to what's
commonly referred to as the 'Nazi' production method of meth.

Police say because farmers are generally unaware the fertilizer is used for
drug production and because the amount needed is relatively small, cases of
theft often go unreported.

"What we're trying to do is get a baseline of what the activity may or may
not be out there so we can monitor this much more closely," said Sgt. Ian
Sanderson, drug awareness coordinator with the RCMP's 'K' division in Edmonton.

"With help from farmers, we might be able to identify some high activity
areas that would help us plan strategically for enforcement action."

Sanderson said although there have been meth labs busted in Alberta where
anhydrous ammonia was found, the lack of corresponding theft reports of the
fertilizer have caused a disconnect they're attempting to address.

"We're only aware of less than a handful of cases of (theft of anhydrous
ammonia) over the last couple of years. But the whole intent is to get a
feel for how much is taking place," said Sanderson.

While Ian Parsons, president of Kitscoty Rural Crime Watch, says crystal
meth and the theft of anhydrous ammonia doesn't appear to be an issue in
the Kitscoty area right now, it's best for rural communities to be proactive.

"Crime is moving from the city to the country," said Parsons. "Where do you
want to live if you're a criminal? Do you want to be in the city where you
hear a siren every 10 minutes, or do you want to be where we live
and people haven't see a police car in two years?" Because the RCMP have
seen the devastating effects crystal meth can have on small communities --
such as Drayton Valley, Edson and Hinton -- Sanderson said being proactive
and educating farmers of the potential for theft is prudent.

"We know there are some areas of the province where it's a significant
issue," said Sanderson. "But a lot of other places haven't seen it yet, and
we're hoping that by being proactive with it, we can prevent it from coming
there."

RCMP are advising all farmers and ag suppliers selling the fertilizer to
lock all valves and store application equipment in well lit or highly
visible areas. Regular inspection of tanks is also encouraged to ensure
security measures have not been tampered with. Most importantly, any
suspicions of attempted or actual theft should be reported to police
immediately.