Pubdate: Thu, 01 Feb 2007
Source: Florida Today (Melbourne, FL)
Copyright: 2007 Florida Today
Contact:  http://www.flatoday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/532
Note: Does not accept out of town LTEs on drug policy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

HUNT THEM DOWN

Brevard Police Should Keep Up Pressure To Put Meth Labs Out Of Business

The Seacrest Avenue neighborhood on Merritt Island is known for its 
peace and quiet.

Not drug trafficking.

But that's what Brevard County Sheriff's deputies found earlier this 
week when they busted a methamphetamine lab that officials said had 
the capability to produce large amounts of the killer drug.

Two people were arrested in the raid, which marked the fifth time in 
the past few weeks that local police have closed down a 
meth-producing operation.

Other meth lab busts in recent days were in Port St. John and West Melbourne.

Sheriff's officials are promising to stay on the offensive, which is 
a must to crack down on the cheaply produced, highly addicting drug 
that has become a plague in our community and around the nation.

The labs -- often filled with fertilizers, fuels and other chemicals 
needed to make the drug -- are prone to explosions, making them 
literal bombs waiting to go off.

The Seacrest Avenue lab was in a shed just behind a home, and 
neighborhood residents and children could have been killed had it ignited.

With meth labs springing up all over, authorities say people should 
be alert for their signs -- strong chemical odors, unusual activity 
at odd times of the day and night, and curtains always drawn or 
covered with aluminum foil.

So be on the lookout, and call police if you think something is awry.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman