SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ASKS FOR HELP TRACKING DOWN METH LAB OPERATORS

With more and more illegal methamphetamine laboratories being discovered in
Washington County, the sheriff's department is trying to get the word out to
retail store employees, landlords and hotel managers to be alert for
suspicious activity. His deputies are distributing brochures and posters
that illustrate the most common ingredients and equipment used in the
illicit manufacture.

It takes a large quantity of an ingredient and a lot of equipment to cook a
batch of methamphetamine. Sheriff Ed Graybeal believes that if responsible
people know what to look for, they can help the sheriff's department shut
down these operations.

Graybeal said there are several obvious signs that neighbors can observe
that indicate there is a methamphetamine lab in the neighborhood. While any
single one of the signs may or may not be proof, a combination of them
should be a cause of concern.

One of the most obvious signs is if the neighbor appears unfriendly and
secretive, but has lots of visitors at all times of the day and night.

This penchant for privacy could include "no trespassing" and "beware of dog"
signs, high fences and hedges, windows painted black or curtains always
drawn.

Some other odd behavior to be concerned about is if the occupants appear to
be unemployed but always have plenty of cash.

Garbage is another signal. Because the operation generates a lot of waste,
if the neighbor takes his garbage elsewhere, that may be a sign. Another
sign is if the garbage has a chemical smell. If the yard has unusual dead
spots, it could be a sign the neighbor is dumping the chemicals on the
property.

Meth labs should be a serious concern for apartment owners or hotel owners,
who have several tenants under one roof. Graybeal said many of the chemicals
used in the operation are highly flammable. There have been many incidents
of fires in meth labs.

Graybeal said that a recent meth lab discovered off Boring Chapel Road
required an entire apartment complex to be evacuated until hazardous
materials crews could clean up the laboratory.

Graybeal said that front desk personnel of hotels should be alert for guests
who pay their bills in cash and have large plastic containers with their
luggage. Another confirming tip is to take a close look at the guest. If
they have hands with burn scars, discolored teeth and unkempt clothes, be
wary, Graybeal said.

Retail store employees should also be alert to the needs of meth lab
operators, Graybeal said. Frequently used items include common cold pills
containing ephedrine and psuedoephedrine, acetone, alcohol, toluene, engine
starter, drain cleaner, coffee filters, iodine, salt, lithium batteries,
lye, matches and muriatic acid.

Graybeal said a store owner recently called him about a customer who
recently bought every match he had. When the store owner asked the customer
about the unusual purchase, the young man said his grandfather could not
keep his pipe lit.

Graybeal said the man was actually buying the matches to obtain red
phosphorous, a key ingredient in one of the methods of making
methamphetamine.

The sheriff said drug stores are becoming wary of customers buying large
amounts of cold remedies. Many are keeping the products close to the
counters or keeping only one or two packets on the shelf at a time.

Some other unusual purchases to be wary about are anyone buying a large
amount of items usually only sold in the winter, such as rock salt and
engine starter.

Graybeal cautioned citizens not to confront someone they suspect of
operating an illegal laboratory. He said they should only call their local
law enforcement agency with their suspicions.

"Most drug dealers I have dealt with are armed, and they want to protect
their business," Graybeal said.

For more information, call the sheriff's office at 461-1414.