POLK METH LABS DROP AFTER EPHEDRA BAN

LAKELAND -- For 10 years, methamphetamine-related shootings and
overdoses have plagued Polk County.

Many of the problems originate in makeshift labs inside homes or in
the backs of cars.

But law enforcement officials say since the ban of ephedra earlier
this year, cooking the crank has become harder for makers of the drug
and may be one of the reasons fewer meth labs have been busted this
year.

In 2003, 14 labs were found in Polk County, according to the Drug
Enforcement Agency. So far this year, detectives have found two.

Ephedra, the popular diet supplement seen in convenience stores, is an
ingredient used by those who manufacture methamphetamine. It has long
been used as an addition to the mix so dealers can increase their profits.

"Ephedra is a main ingredient in methamphetamine," said sheriff's Maj.
W.J. Martin. "It's harder and harder for them (dealers) to come by."

Decongestants and other medicines contain ephedrine and
pseudoephedrine, synthetic versions of ephedra. The medicines are not
affected by the ban.

Some methamphetamine makers now go to local drug and food stores, buy
the medicines, then cook the methamphetamine.

But the tablets aren't as pure as ephedra and the makers need hundreds
of pills to make large quantities of the drug.

Area drug store employees have been put on alert if a customer buys a
large amount of cold pills like Sudafed.

Detectives begin an investigation into the purchase if they determine
it is suspicious, law enforcement officials said.

Methamphetamine is a stimulant, created in makeshift labs, through a
chemical process detectives call "cooking."

It's a souped-up version of the older stimulant amphetamine, long
known as speed. Depending on its purity, the final product can range
in texture and color from rust-colored chunks to a granular, off-white
powder.

Local police mostly see the powdered form. A gram, which provides five
to 10 hits, costs from $70 to $100, according to drug detectives.

Despite the drop in labs, the county's methamphetamine problem has
remained fairly steady the past several years.

Most of the methamphetamine used in Polk is manufactured outside the
county and brought in from Mexico and Texas, detectives said.

But Martin said Polk County has improved its image. He said the
Panhandle now has the majority of the state's labs.

"We still have a meth problem, but I wouldn't say we are the capital,"
Martin said.