Reply #26: Meth Labs Decreasing, But Ice Is Taking Over

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Meth Labs Decreasing, But Ice Is Taking Over

By Dale DeWoody
Monday, April 10, 2006 8:49 AM CDT
TIMES RECORD • [email protected]

The number of methamphetamine labs in the area has decreased dramatically over the past few years, but the decline has little to do with legislation that went into effect last year, officials said.

In March 2005, Arkansas passed Act 256, which removed medications containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in meth, from store shelves. But the decline started earlier.

“Our lab numbers had already dropped over 50 percent a year before the law was passed,” said Sgt. George Lawson, narcotics officer for the Fort Smith Police Department.In 2003 there were 70 meth labs investigated by the Fort Smith police, according to records. The number dropped to 32 labs in 2004, and to just seven labs in 2005.Lawson said the reason for the decrease in meth labs is the increase in crystal meth, or “ice,” that is being brought in from other areas.

Investigator Lanny Reese of the 12th/21st Judicial Drug Task Force agrees.“The meth labs are being shut down because of the import of ice from Mexico,” he said.

The area is being flooded with the purer form of crystallized meth, made in super labs in Mexico and states like California, Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, said investigator Anthony Sacco with the drug task force.
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