Pubdate: Thu, 11 Oct 2001 Source: Evansville Courier & Press (IN) Copyright: 2001 The Evansville Courier Contact: http://www.courierpress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/138 Author: Len Wells METH MAKERS MOVING TO MORE REMOTE SITES Operators of meth labs in Southern Illinois appear to be changing their mode of operation in an effort to throw law enforcement officials off their trail. In Wayne County police are starting to see fewer and fewer suspected meth labs being operated inside homes or vehicles. The move lately has been to load up all the necessary ingredients in 30-quart plastic beer coolers and hide the entire lab in as remote a location as possible. Wayne County sheriff's officers recovered two suspected "beer cooler" meth labs in the past two days, hidden in a culvert in a remote part of the county. Neighbors saw something suspicious and called police. Inside, police found large plastic jugs that resembled gallon-size Tupperware containers full of chemicals in the midst of a "cook." "We're starting to see 'blue meth' now," said Wayne County Sheriff's Deputy Sonny McCulley. "The dope gets its blueish tint from the use of high octane automotive racing fuel instead of camper fuel and ether." Authorities say the move away from operating meth labs in cars and in houses stems from recent decisions by the courts to seize vehicles and homes used in the drug trade. The change in operation can be dangerous though, especially to innocent residents who stumble upon these labs. Many of the coolers contain a quantity of anhydrous ammonia that can be deadly if inhaled or spilled on the skin. Other ingredients may include ether and flammable liquids such as camper fuel or explosive racing fuel. Authorities are asking landowners to keep a close eye on their property and to report any suspicious activity to police. Monday night, authorities reported two suspicious fires that may be related to the manufacture of meth. West of West Salem, Ill., in Edwards County, a barn was destroyed by fire. Southwest of Bolyeston in Wayne County, a two-story vacant farm home was destroyed by fire. The state fire marshal's office is currently investigating the house fire. - --- MAP posted-by: Rebel