METH THREAT

Anhydrous Ammonia Critical To Production

Gulfport - Growing Problem

The state Bureau of Narcotics handled more than 500 methamphetamine cases
in 2002. The numbers include meth-lab discoveries and seizures of
ingredients used to make the illegal drug. The number of cases in previous
years:

. 2001: 371

. 2000: 157

. 1999: 114

. 1998: 54

. 1997: 2

Meth Threat

South Mississippi's growing problem with methamphetamine laboratories
brimmed over early Sunday when the apparent theft of anhydrous ammonia
turned into a crisis that led to the evacuation of a square-mile area of
Gulfport and the closing of major highways, the airport and major businesses.

Fire and police officials blame the leak at Channel Chemical Corp. on a
thief who managed to get inside the fenced property to steal anhydrous
ammonia, but left the storage tank valve open, spewing gallons of the toxic
gas into the air. It is not clear whether any of the chemical was taken in
the attempt.

The resulting evacuation and the need for medical attention for about a
dozen people shows how serious the methamphetamine problem has become, said
Gulfport Fire Chief Pat Sullivan.

"The people who make this illegal drug will stop at nothing to get the
ingredients and they don't care about endangering the public," he said.

The emergency focused the attention of law enforcement, businesses and
ordinary citizens on the growing threat of meth labs, which have mushroomed
in the state over the last couple of years. More than 200 labs have been
seized in recent months in South Mississippi and more than 500 statewide.
Also, the theft of anhydrous ammonia has been reported at least three times
in just one month.

Anhydrous ammonia is one of about 12 ingredients used to make
methamphetamine, but it's the only ingredient that can't be purchased in a
retail store. It is used legally as a fertilizer and a refrigerant for ice
houses and seafood plants.

It's also a popular item for thieves who steal it to make the illegal drug
or sell it for that purpose, said Gulfport Deputy Police Chief Steve Barnes.

Authorities have reported only a few anhydrous ammonia thefts in the past
year or so, but dozens of arrests for having the ammonia and other
ingredients used to make methamphetamine. The incident Sunday was more
noticeable to the public because it required an evacuation.

Gulfport police have worked with at least two businesses involved with
anhydrous ammonia. One no longer stores the chemical, said Barnes, and the
other installed a security system after narcotics and fire officials
recommended it.

Sunday's case remains under investigation. Numbers weren't available on how
many Gulfport businesses handle anhydrous ammonia or the number of thefts
reported to authorities.

However, officials with the cash-strapped Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics
say that methamphetamine has become so rampant statewide that agents are
hard-pressed to keep up.

"We find evidence of (thefts) all the time," said Dwayne Brewer, resident
agent in charge of MBN's Gulfport district office. "That's why the agency
has been holding public seminars to let people around South Mississippi
know about the dangers."

Federal law requires businesses that handle hazardous materials to file a
report that is followed up with inspections by fire prevention officers.

"They have to use appropriate containers and procedures," Sullivan said,
"but I don't know of any law that requires them to set up a security system.

"We need the public's help. If you smell the foul odor of ammonia coming
from an area that has no obvious reason to smell that way, call authorities."

Another indication of meth-lab activity, said Sullivan, is "old propane
tanks like those for gas barbecue grills, that have been rigged up with
odd-looking tubes or garden hoses or hardware that looks like it didn't
come with the tank."

The incident Sunday is the latest in a growing number of dangerous
situations involving methamphetamine and violent activity associated with
those who use it or make it, officials said.

For instance, a Saucier neighborhood in July became a battleground when a
man began firing at deputies who discovered an alleged meth lab. That same
month, two narcotics officers were injured by a pipe bomb near Biloxi while
trying to serve a warrant at an alleged meth lab.