Pubdate: Sun, 25 Apr 2004
Source: Selkirk Journal (CN MB)
Copyright: 2004 The Selkirk Journal
Contact:  http://www.selkirkjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2165
Author:  Andrew Buck
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

METH MATERIALS STOLEN

Theft Points Toward Spread Of Clandestine Crystal Meth Labs

Selkirk Journal -- Recent thefts of farm fertilizers -- including one in 
the Petersfield area -- have police worried about an increase of meth labs 
north of the border.

Farmers use anhydrous ammonia to help grow cereals and oilseeds, but the 
chemical is also helping to increase the number of clandestine drug labs in 
Manitoba. Anhydrous ammonia is a necessary ingredient in the production of 
crystal meth, Manitoba RCMP drug section Cpl. Kevin Lamontagne said.

"There's a whole process by which they cook the methamphetamine and the 
anhydrous is a key ingredient -- they can't do it without it," he said.

People who cook up the drug tend to steal anhydrous ammonia instead of 
buying it, Lamontagne said -- that's why police are worried about thefts 
like one near Petersfield, where a tank of anhydrous ammonia was drained 
and 26,500 gallons (with a value of $40,000) were stolen. The crime is 
still under investigation, Selkirk RCMP spokesman Dwayne Cebryk said.

"All these chemicals are readily available through either purchase, or in 
the case of anhydrous ammonia, theft," Lamontagne said. "Generally, the 
acquisition of anhydrous is limited to theft because they don't require 
that large of a quantity."

Farmers rent out portable tankers holding the chemical and pull it behind 
their tillage equipment to spray their crops, Petersfield Agricore customer 
service rep Matt Ewankiw said. He said anhydrous thefts are a problem in 
North Dakota but have yet to cause similar widespread concerns in Manitoba.

Used properly, anhydrous ammonia is completely safe, Manitoba Agriculture 
Selkirk rep Michael Sykes said.

"Usually farmers will get their anhydrous ammonia from dealers like 
Agricore," he said. "It comes in tankers that are in a secured area." But, 
he said, the chemical poses a huge health hazard if it ends up in the wrong 
hands.

"The biggest concern is the safety factor," Sykes said. "It can be toxic to 
humans because it's got a huge affinity for moisture so you've got to be 
very careful around it. If you get that in your lungs or eyes it can cause 
irreparable damage."

Meth cookers

Anhydrous ammonia is also dangerous because meth cookers don't care about 
how it and the drug's byproducts are disposed of. "It is a big community 
health hazard," Lamontagne said.

"For every one pound of methamphetamine that is produced, there are six 
pounds of garbage. It's basically toxic waste, and these people do not use 
licensed chemical companies to destroy the waste -- they'll just throw it 
in their backyard, in the dump, and into the ditches.

"A lot of that will make its way into our water system."

Police have seized three operational labs in Manitoba within the last year, 
and Lamontagne says all signs point to an increase in meth production in 
the province.

"Up until a couple of years ago, we really didn't have a lot of 
methamphetamine on the streets of our province, now we're seizing it on a 
regular basis all over the province," he said. "Anhydrous thefts are 
consistent with what we've seen in the United States, which in turn lead to 
the proliferation of clandestine labs."

Police are asking the public to help them spot illegal labs by reporting 
suspicious behaviour from strangers and strong ammonia smells. Farmers are 
also reminded to keep their chemicals under close supervision.

"If at all possible, try to keep your nurse tanks out of view and in 
well-lit areas," Lamontagne said. "If you are noticing that people are 
tampering with your tanks or you are experiencing theft, please notify your 
local detachment."

Crystal meth is the most common member of the amphetamine drug family.

When ingested, it increases arousal in the central nervous system and can 
cause agitation, paranoia and bizarre behaviour in high doses. The drug is 
a white powder that often has a strong ammonia smell.
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