METH COOKERS FACE TOUGHER LAWS

Lawmakers Considering Making Possession Of More Than 8 Ounces Of Crystal
Iodine A Felony

VICTORVILLE -- The seedy characters trying to buy large amounts of crystal
iodine from Harry Ryun's horse supply store always went home empty-handed.

That's because Ryun knew exactly what they wanted it for -- cooking
methamphetamine.

"I just wouldn't let them have it if they wanted more than what was in that
little vile," said Ryun, who owns Covered Wagon Pet and Equestrian Supply in
Victorville.

Ryun stopped selling the chemical about two years ago because of the
methamphetamine makers, whom he despises.

"They are ruining our kids and everything else," he said.

Now state lawmakers are considering putting tough restrictions on the
chemical in hopes of tightening the noose around illegal drug makers, who
once had free access to nearly all the ingredients needed to cook the
powerful stimulant also known as speed, crank or meth.

The legislation proposed by Assemblywoman Sharon Runner, R-Lancaster, would
make possession of more than 8 ounces of crystal iodine or more than $100
worth of liquid iodine a felony punishable by up to six years in prison.

"Anything to help regulate the chemicals that are used to manufacture
methamphetamine would be of assistance to us," San Bernardino County
Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Higgins said.

State laws enacted in recent years make it illegal for a person to possess
large amounts of pseudoephedrine, hydriodic acid and other ingredients used
to manufacture speed.

However, people caught with stockpiles of iodine, which can be used to make
hydriodic acid, don't face any criminal penalties.

Inland Narcotics Division Sgt. Bob Bonnet said the laws restricting the
possession of meth making chemicals have helped curb the number of small
drug labs in the Inland Empire.

But meth labs aren't going away.

"You put your finger in one hole, and the leak springs somewhere else," he
said.

Both the crystallized and liquid versions of iodine do have legitimate uses.
Iodine crystals are used as an antiseptic on horse hooves while the liquid
form, known at tincture iodine, is swabbed on the umbilical cords of newborn
livestock.

Judi McArth, who owns Animal Supply in Apple Valley, said she would be very
suspicious if someone wanted to purchase more than $100 worth of tincture
iodine.

An 8-ounce bottle of the chemical costs about $3 and lasts for a while, she
said.

Most local feed stores have already stopped selling crystal iodine because
of a law that requires them to copy the buyer's driver's license and keep
other paperwork when selling the chemical.

A small vile of iodine crystals is enough for about 10 horses and would last
most horse owners a year or more, Ryun said.

Deputy District Attorney Gar Jensen, who prosecutes major drug cases, said
the meth cookers that narcotics officers encounter usually have huge
quantities of the chemical but no horses.

"They are buying enough iodine to treat the Seventh Cavalry's horses," he
said.

Assembly Bill 158 is scheduled to be heard in committee in March.