METH LABS ON RISE IN PUTNAM

WINFIELD - The drug unit is getting better at finding meth labs. But Putnam
County Chief Deputy John Dailey isn't so sure that's the reason why there's
been a surge of related incidents in the county.

"It's profitable," Dailey said. "And you can find out how to make it just
about anywhere."

With a few taps on the keyboard and a click of the mouse, he brought up
several recipe Web sites on his office computer.

Though most people learn how to cook meth from recipes on the Internet,
Dailey said that detectives find that people already making meth are more
than happy to spread the word.

"It's about the money," he said. The speedlike drug can be sold for as much
as $100 a gram and can be made in large quantities.

"If you can invest $500 and make $5,000, that's a lot to say 'no' to,"
Dailey said.

On Tuesday night, police found the county's 11th meth lab of the year in a
Hurricane residence. Jackie L. Adkins, 48, was charged with operating a
metamphetamine lab with intent to deliver meth.

Last year, 28 labs were found in the county, compared to 14 in 2002 and two
the year before that.

Several weeks ago police arrested another man for attempting to make meth
and for possession of the drug after he was pulled over on U.S. 35 for
erratic driving.

Chad A. Totten, 30, of Red House, confessed to putting a tin of meth, three
to four baggies of marijuana and a prescription bottle full of prescription
pills in his daughter's coat pockets before police pulled them over,
according to a criminal complaint filed in Putnam County Magistrate Court.