Pubdate: Fri, 25 Jul 2003
Source: Daily Advertiser, The (LA)
Copyright: 2003 South Louisiana Publishing
Contact:  http://www.theadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1670
Author: Marsha Sills
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

HAZARDOUS TRANSPORT

Two Arrested After Police Find Meth Chemicals In Car

LAFAYETTE - Police arrested two men who abandoned a car Thursday
morning containing toxic chemicals used to make methamphetamine on
Evangeline Thruway.

Rexwell Kennington, 36, and Robert Beasley, 35, both of Mississippi,
were arrested by police Thursday afternoon, said Lafayette Cpl. Mark
Francis. They were charged with handling of hazardous materials.

The men were transporting propane tanks full of anhydrous ammonia, a
chemical fertilizer used by farmers, Francis said. The material is
also used to manufacture methamphetamine.

"You have to have a license to purchase, possess and use the
fertilizer," Francis said.

Francis said witnesses saw the two men running away from a 1989 Honda
parked on the northeast side of Evangeline at 16th Street. When police
officers investigated, they smelled a strong chemical around the trunk
of the car. Police later confirmed that there were five containers
containing toxic chemicals, and two of them were leaking. The
chemicals smelled like ammonia, Francis said.

"This is why the driver and the passenger exited so quickly; the
chemicals were being released inside the car. Depending on how much a
person inhales in the close confines of a car, these chemicals are so
toxic, they could kill you," Francis said.

The abandoned vehicle caused an hours-long closure of the Evangeline
Thruway at a little before 2 a.m. today, police said. All lanes of the
road were reopened a little after 8 a.m., but not before causing a
huge early rush-hour traffic jam, said Francis.

Witnesses described a line of 18-wheelers and cars backed up as far as
the eye could see in both directions.

A call into Crime Stoppers led officers to the two men, Francis
said.

"They appeared suspicious, and we received a call," he
said.

The men were arrested at the Greyhound Bus Station
downtown.

Francis said the northeast and southwest lanes of the Thruway were
closed between Pinhook Road and Johnston Street, while a hazardous
materials team from the state secured the area. The leaking containers
were sealed with sand, and the car towed to a safe area, where
authorities safely removed the chemicals. There were no
evacuations.

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that is highly addictive,
according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

An investment of a few hundred dollars in over-the-counter medications
and chemicals can produce thousands of dollars worth of
methamphetamine. The drug can be made in a portable laboratory that
can fit into a suit case, according to the Koch Crime Institute.

"Chemicals used to make the drug include over-the-counter cold and
asthma medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, red
phosphorous, hydrochloric acid, drain cleaner, battery acid, lye,
lantern fuel and antifreeze," the crime institute Web site states.

The street value of labs is usually determined only if they've been
tied to actual concoction of drugs, said Warren Rivera, resident agent
in charge of the DEA's office in Baton Rouge, which covers Acadiana.

"We typically guestimate on the value of a lab," Rivera said.
"Typically, when it's not active, we don't give it a specific dollar
figure."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin