ANHYDROUS HOT FOR METH MAKERS

Three people have been charged for stealing anhydrous ammonia. This is the
first case the Grant County Sheriff's Department has charged someone for
anhydrous theft, said Sheriff Dwight Walvatne.

Janet Trudell, 48, Pease, James Edward Bialucha, 43, Princeton and Kevin
Wiedewitch, 40, Princeton, were arrested Feb. 22 just outside Elbow Lake
after they were seen siphoning anhydrous from a tank filled with the chemicals.

The crime carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a
$50,000 fine.

"It's one of the main components meth manufacturers are going after. Every
place where anhydrous is stored are targets," Walvatne said. "We've been
watching all our anhydrous sites in Grant County -- in Herman, Hoffman,
Ashby, Elbow Lake and Wendell -- for a couple of years."

Grant County authorities look for suspicious activity at the sites. Last
December, deputies noticed someone had been tapping the tanks near Elbow
Lake, Walvatne said.

"We knew a couple of different groups were going in there and we thought if
we there for three weeks, we'd catch both groups," he said.

On Feb. 22 Deputy Marlyn Riley noticed a car stop on the highway about
11:45 p.m. Two people were seen going up to a tank and transferring fluid
from the main tank into a smaller propane tank.

A dozen state, county and local authorities converged and arrested the
suspects when they drove into Elbow Lake.

Walvatne said anhydrous ammonia sells for around $300 for a 20-pound
cylinder tank. A 100-pound cylinder of anhydrous will sell for about $1,000.

The nurse tanks, portable tanks pulled behind tractors, are seen everywhere
in agricultural areas of the state.

The product is very dangerous and could kill the person stealing it if
they're not careful, Walvatne said. Some of the thieves wear gas masks and
rubber gloves to protect themselves.

Walvatne said the suspects, who are out on bail, might face additional
charges for possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and syringes, items
allegedly found in their car. Wiedewitch reportedly was on federal
probation for methamphetamine crimes.

All counties, especially the rural, less-populated ones, are watching their
anhydrous ammonia stocks. Walvatne said Twin Cities area methamphetamine
manufacturers look for areas where their operations won't easily be noticed.

"They think their chances are better out here to get away with it," he said.