METH IS A GROWING PANHANDLE PROBLEM

The use of methamphetamine and the theft of its ingredients are becoming
more and more frequent in the Panhandle, according to local law enforcement.

Most recently, Kevin Hendricks of Scottsbluff reached a plea agreement
based upon the distribution of meth. Albert Vernon Dillon of Mitchell has
been handed a federal indictment for possession of a firearm by a known
drug dealer among other drug charges relating to the sale of meth. The
Western Intelligence and Narcotics Group (WING) Task Force investigated a
total of five clandestine narcotic producing labs in the Panhandle in 2001.

The ingredients for methamphetamine are generally available from hardware
or discount stores.

Store owners can help law enforcement by watching for large or frequent
purchases or thefts of key ingredients such as Sudafed (used for its
ephedrine or pseudoephedrine content) and Heet gas treatment.

Anhydrous ammonia is one ingredient that meth producers have a tendency to
steal from tanks, usually in rural areas, but there are signs that could
indicate theft or the existence of a clandestine meth lab.

Anhydrous tanks should be kept in well-lit areas, not in an out building or
a barn. Look at the tank daily for anything that might be suspicious,
possibly even using a rake to smooth the area, then watching for any new
footprints that may appear.

Hoses from anhydrous tanks should be removed. There is enough product just
in the tank's hose to make a small batch of meth, trooper Chuck Elley of
the Nebraska State Patrol said.

Investigator Kent Ewing of WING said the majority of anhydrous ammonia
thefts in the area involve a small amount of the product - not even enough
to move the gauge on a typical tank.

"Most of the time when they steal anhydrous ammonia, they never open the
tank," he said. "They just crack the hose. A cupful can be enough for them."

A propane tank removed from a gas grill can be emptied and used to
transport anhydrous ammonia. An indicator of such use would be that the
brass fitting on the valve will turn blue.

The number of meth labs in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska has increased over
the past several years, Elley said. The labs are usually in people's homes,
hotel rooms, rented storage space or abandoned structures, such as empty
farm buildings.

The labs produce toxic waste that should be handled by proper hazardous
materials experts, but Ewing said that doesn't happen when the manufacturer
suspects the police are coming and dumps a batch in, say, the toilet.

"It's very toxic," Ewing said of the chemicals used. "They're hazardous to
the (WING) team itself. Besides being explosive, these people are dumping
toxic waste in the sewer."

When labs are taken down by proper law enforcement agencies, it becomes
costly to the taxpayer, Ewing said. Minimum cleanup on any lab starts at
about $5,000, he said, and has been as costly as $20,000.

The public is the eyes and ears for law enforcement. Anyone who sees
vehicles going to an abandoned farm house or out building, especially late
at night, should contact law enforcement.

Meth labs can range in size from a kitchen sink to a full-size room. If
someone comes across a meth lab, Elley said they should get away quickly.

"Get out," he said. "They're very volatile. They're a time bomb waiting to
go off. These are very toxic chemicals - the toxic waste from them can kill
you."

Key indicators to the existence of a meth lab include lots of glassware or
coffee filters, pillow covers or bed sheets with red stains. The meth lab
will give off a strong smell, perhaps like cat urine, ether, ammonia or
acetone. Often times efforts will be made by the meth "cookers" to
reinforce doors and cover windows to prevent observation of activities.
Trash around the house may include items such as antifreeze containers and
starter fluid cans.

Farmers should be on the lookout for an anhydrous hose maybe left on the
ground or with the nozzle manipulated with string or tape. Bags of trash
can also be indicators of meth production. A farmer may find a bag
containing, for example, empty Sudafed boxes, Heet bottles or lithium
batteries. Instead of throwing the bag away, contact the police. Even
opening the bag can expose an individual to toxic chemicals.

Similar measures should be taken by hotel housekeepers in the event that
they come across the same clues. Some meth producers will rent a room for a
night. To make the product takes about 20 minutes to two hours.

"If you come in contact with someone who is making meth," Elley said, "try
to get away. Don't confront them. Contact law enforcement.

"These people can be very dangerous and very paranoid, and the 'cookers'
many times are using (the drug) themselves, and lots of times they are
armed. When you get the combination of armed and paranoid, that can be very
dangerous."

Elley said estimates indicate that one of every six meth labs will blow up,
often resulting in death for the "cooker" and even for innocent people,
such as in a neighboring hotel room.

"The people making this stuff are not chemists," he said. "They're usually
a dope dealer, and they're usually using meth themselves."

Ewing said most meth producers will go outside their house to smoke a
cigarette because of the volatility of the chemicals.

Anyone with information on a suspected meth lab or meth activities should
contact the Scotts Bluff County Communication Center at 436-6666 or the
Nebraska State Patrol at 632-1211.