METH MATERIALS STOLEN

Theft Points Toward Spread Of Clandestine Crystal Meth Labs

Selkirk Journal -- Recent thefts of farm fertilizers -- including one in
the Petersfield area -- have police worried about an increase of meth labs
north of the border.

Farmers use anhydrous ammonia to help grow cereals and oilseeds, but the
chemical is also helping to increase the number of clandestine drug labs in
Manitoba. Anhydrous ammonia is a necessary ingredient in the production of
crystal meth, Manitoba RCMP drug section Cpl. Kevin Lamontagne said.

"There's a whole process by which they cook the methamphetamine and the
anhydrous is a key ingredient -- they can't do it without it," he said.

People who cook up the drug tend to steal anhydrous ammonia instead of
buying it, Lamontagne said -- that's why police are worried about thefts
like one near Petersfield, where a tank of anhydrous ammonia was drained
and 26,500 gallons (with a value of $40,000) were stolen. The crime is
still under investigation, Selkirk RCMP spokesman Dwayne Cebryk said.

"All these chemicals are readily available through either purchase, or in
the case of anhydrous ammonia, theft," Lamontagne said. "Generally, the
acquisition of anhydrous is limited to theft because they don't require
that large of a quantity."

Farmers rent out portable tankers holding the chemical and pull it behind
their tillage equipment to spray their crops, Petersfield Agricore customer
service rep Matt Ewankiw said. He said anhydrous thefts are a problem in
North Dakota but have yet to cause similar widespread concerns in Manitoba.

Used properly, anhydrous ammonia is completely safe, Manitoba Agriculture
Selkirk rep Michael Sykes said.

"Usually farmers will get their anhydrous ammonia from dealers like
Agricore," he said. "It comes in tankers that are in a secured area." But,
he said, the chemical poses a huge health hazard if it ends up in the wrong
hands.

"The biggest concern is the safety factor," Sykes said. "It can be toxic to
humans because it's got a huge affinity for moisture so you've got to be
very careful around it. If you get that in your lungs or eyes it can cause
irreparable damage."

Meth cookers

Anhydrous ammonia is also dangerous because meth cookers don't care about
how it and the drug's byproducts are disposed of. "It is a big community
health hazard," Lamontagne said.

"For every one pound of methamphetamine that is produced, there are six
pounds of garbage. It's basically toxic waste, and these people do not use
licensed chemical companies to destroy the waste -- they'll just throw it
in their backyard, in the dump, and into the ditches.

"A lot of that will make its way into our water system."

Police have seized three operational labs in Manitoba within the last year,
and Lamontagne says all signs point to an increase in meth production in
the province.

"Up until a couple of years ago, we really didn't have a lot of
methamphetamine on the streets of our province, now we're seizing it on a
regular basis all over the province," he said. "Anhydrous thefts are
consistent with what we've seen in the United States, which in turn lead to
the proliferation of clandestine labs."

Police are asking the public to help them spot illegal labs by reporting
suspicious behaviour from strangers and strong ammonia smells. Farmers are
also reminded to keep their chemicals under close supervision.

"If at all possible, try to keep your nurse tanks out of view and in
well-lit areas," Lamontagne said. "If you are noticing that people are
tampering with your tanks or you are experiencing theft, please notify your
local detachment."

Crystal meth is the most common member of the amphetamine drug family.

When ingested, it increases arousal in the central nervous system and can
cause agitation, paranoia and bizarre behaviour in high doses. The drug is
a white powder that often has a strong ammonia smell.