RETAILERS GET PRIMER ON THE METH INDUSTRY

Agents Seek Their Help in Curbing Sales of Ingredients

ST. GEORGE - It wasn't the late-late horror show on TV or a bad nightmare,
it was detective Aaron Jensen's file photos of people blown apart by
exploding meth labs, teenagers who overdosed on the illegal street drug,
and disfigured bodies scarred forever from using the lethal mixture of
household chemicals.

"We see a lot of explosions, a lot of scars from chemical burns," Jensen
told a small group gathered for a workshop titled "Methamphetamine and the
Law: What every retailer should know," as he brought another gruesome photo
up for viewing. "These are not doctored photos. We need your help as
retailers to help us get these labs."

Jensen, a member of the Drug Enforcement Administration Metropolitan
Narcotics Task Force in Salt Lake City, was in St. George to deliver a
simple message: Retailers can have a big effect when it comes to shutting
down meth labs.

"In my opinion, we have more labs occurring in rural areas. These guys are
down here taking a chance that you're not paying attention," Jensen said.

Methamphetamine, whose main ingredient is an over-the-counter ephedrine
product, is described as a stimulant that affects the central nervous
system. Common medications, household products and hardware supplies are
used in producing the powerful drug.

Those addicted to meth appear gaunt and may have tremors, respiratory
problems or open skin sores, among other health problems. Users also may
suffer panic attacks, appear paranoid, become depressed or may have
hallucinations, according to a workshop booklet.

"A lot of times these people have shopping lists and go from store to
store, buying what they need," said Brenda Beaton, an assistant Utah
attorney general whose time is spent entirely on prosecuting meth crimes.
"People make a lot of money just dealing with the chemical end of it. I've
got a guy indicted right now whose whole function was just to produce
ephedrine to others who make meth."

Retailers are expected to be familiar with a long list of Utah statutes
that govern the sale of chemicals known to be used in cooking up illegal
drugs. Violating the Clandestine Drug Lab Act is a second-degree felony
punishable by one to 15 years at the Utah State Prison and/or a fine of
$10,000 plus an 85 percent surcharge, Beaton said.

"This crime is the reason why I have a job. There are 10 DEA guys in
Jensen's office investigating these labs. The taxpayer pays for the cost of
this particular crime," she said. "Even if you don't know anyone involved
in it, we are all affected by it. If you have any kind of suspicious
transactions, report it to your local law enforcement."

The few retailers who showed up for last week's three-hour workshop in St.
George and earlier in Cedar City were glad they came.

"I didn't know these laws were here. To an extent it makes you worry, but
we'll inform our people and educate them," said Mont Prince, manager of the
Hurst Ace Hardware Store in St. George.

Washington County Drug Task Force Officer Chris Trani told the group he
needs more help from a bigger segment of the retail community.

"We notice all the time these 'meth lab sale' ads where you say you can buy
three bottles of Heet for $1, or Red Devil Lye is on sale," Trani said.
"I'm telling you, if you live in St. George you don't need a case of Heet."

One man who was busted for purchasing a large amount of iodine, a chemical
strictly regulated by Utah law, told Trani he needed the solution to treat
his horses' hooves.

"Just to prove to us that was what he needed it for, he opened his trunk
and showed us a bunch of horseshoes," Trani said. "Only they were the kind
you use when you're pitching horse shoes, not the kind horses wear."

Turnout for the workshops, which are being held statewide, has been sparse
in some locations, said Tracey Tabet, community relations director in the
Utah Attorney General's Office. Only a small percentage of the 1,500
businesses contacted statewide to attend a workshop in their area actually
participated, she said.

"We canceled Richfield and Moab for lack of a turnout," she said. "What's
it going to take - a sting operation? I like to think a business will take
a moral position to help reduce the meth problem in their community."

For more information about the workshops, contact the attorney general's
office at 1-801- 538-1808 or 1-800-244-4636.