HELP NEEDED TO FIND SPEED DEALERS, COOKS

Speed has quickly supplanted heroin and crack cocaine as the most
used and sold drug in Maple Ridge, local RCMP say.

The RCMP strike force shut down three methamphetamine labs in Maple
Ridge last year and are currently investigating many other tips.

Police have seen a significant increase in the use of speed, as well
as manufacturing and selling it, during the same span.

"There has been a massive conversion by users and dealers from drugs
such as heroin and crack cocaine to speed," Const. Andy Cook said.
"Seizures of methamphetamine have steadily increased and
methamphetamine, or speed as it is more commonly known, has risen to
the forefront in the Maple Ridge drug scene."

According to police, speed accounts for almost 90 per cent of all
illegal drugs use in some U.S. states and is directly linked to
violent crimes.

Speed is a "highly addictive" drug that stimulates the central
nervous system. A dose of .01 grams can last up to eights hours, the
lasting effect the main reason for its increased demand.

"Speed has been compared to crack cocaine in terms of addictiveness,"
Cook said.

Speed can be smoked, snorted, injected or taken orally. Affects of
speed include paranoia, aggressiveness, sleeplessness, excitement and
moodiness. Speed is normally white in colour, but can be beige,
bluish or reddish. It is normally found in a power or crystal form.
Besides speed, methamphetamines are also called "gak, jib, and
crystal."

Police say speed is cheaper and has a higher profit margin than other
drugs because it is easily made using items that are available
commercially, such as common flu medications like Sudafed.

Speed manufactured in Maple Ridge has contained ephedrine, hydriodic
acid, red phosphorus and iodine. Other chemicals and precursors
frequently used in manufacturing methamphetamines include acetone,
camp fuel, methyl hydrate, muriatic acid, starter fluid, Actifed and
Sudafed.

Police said many of those precursors are imported illegally or
obtained from organized crime groups.

Speed labs often emit a strong "chemical" smell and have blacked out
windows, large quantities of bottles and containers being moved in
and out, as well as a high volume of traffic and lots of trash,
including chemical containers and coffee filters.

Other equipment used in the production of methamphetamines include
glassware, pyrex, dishes, hot plate and wine carboys.

Police said speed labs are dangerous to the environment, the public
and police. They can cause fires and explosions, produce toxic
chemicals, gases and waste materials.

"In manufacturing one pound of speed, five to six pounds of waste
material is produced," police say.

Due to the "highly" volatile nature of speed production, police rely
on specialized teams that are safely equipped to dismantle labs and
dispose of hazardous materials.

Police are asking for public assistance in identifying known speed
dealers, "cooks" and labs in the area and surrounding communities. To
help, call the local RCMP strike force at 604-463-6251.