LAWS MAKING WAR ON DRUGS DIFFICULT, NARCOTICS CHIEF SAYS

JACKSON - Methamphetamine and crack cocaine are two of the biggest
problems facing Mississippi, yet state laws can put drug fighters at a
disadvantage and the public at risk, the Bureau of Narcotics chief
says.

Frank Melton said he hopes to convince legislators to make some
changes next year, but until then he'll find unconventional ways to
effectively fight the drugs that prey on both children and adults.

For one thing, the narcotics chief said, his agents have to go through
too much red tape when it comes to arresting meth manufacturers, who
use explosive chemicals in clandestine labs to produce the drug.

Melton used a drug bust earlier this year as an example during an
interview last week with The Associated Press. He said a meth
laboratory was discovered at a hotel near downtown Jackson.

"The way the law states is that we can go in and we can dismantle the
laboratory to keep it from being a danger to the people, but then we
have to go in and get a search warrant," Melton said. "Well, the time
that it takes us to go and get that warrant, we have people's lives in
danger."

Melton said he had other reasons for concentrating on crack cocaine
and meth: children.

He said not only were children addicted to the drugs but at times were
forced to become dealers by their families. And, he said, meth makers
often hide their labs in their homes, stirring the brew in the same
room as their children.

Another hindrance, Melton said, is that state law prohibits the
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics from conducting roadblocks. Melton
came under fire shortly after he was appointed MBN chief for
conducting a roadblock to check licenses near the Capitol.

The Highway Patrol and police departments are among the agencies that
can set up roadblocks.

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling prohibits roadblocks specifically to check
for drugs, but Melton believes such checks could result in more drug
arrests.

Melton, 52, is a former television executive known for his blunt
editorials about drugs and crime. He had no law enforcement experience
when Gov. Ronnie Musgrove tapped him to lead the narcotics bureau in
December. He has since completed Drug Enforcement Agency training at
Quantico, Va.

Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Columbus, who is a former Lowndes County
prosecutor, said even if the state laws were relaxed, Melton would
still have to abide by federal laws.

"There has to be a logical reason to stop autos," said Smith, a member
of the House Judiciary A Committee.

He said the U.S. Constitution guarantees protection against
unreasonable search and seizure.

"He does need to have more authority to stop vehicles with suspicious
activity," Smith said of Melton. "He also needs to be able to make
more strong seizure and search procedures.

"I'd be willing to help in my capacity as a lawmaker, but some of that
is going to be out of our hands," Smith said.

Melton said he's especially hard on meth users and manufacturers.
Since October 2002, officials have cleaned up 179 clandestine labs in
the state.

Melton said he forbids meth suspects to return to their homes after
they're arrested. Meth manufacturing puts everyone in a neighborhood
at risk because one mistake could result in an explosion, he said.

"What I'm doing there, which also is not legal, when I find those
large laboratories like that, they're (those who operate the labs) no
longer eligible to live in those neighborhoods," he said.

Nancy East of the state attorney general's office said officials can
legally secure a crime scene.

"There's really not a time limit - four hours or four days," East
said. "However long it will take you to make sure that place is safe."