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