The Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Unit has released the statewide
numbers for meth labs dismantled in the state through July and Starke
County, located in the Lowell District, has the unwanted distinction of
being tied for tenth.
Twenty labs were dismantled in Starke County through the first seven months
of the year.
This is the first time any county in the Lowell District (Lake, Porter,
LaPorte, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski and Starke) has made it into the top ten.
Lowell’s District total for 2011 was 60 labs. The total so far this year:
already 46.
“Signs to look for meth manufacturing are a strong ammonia smell, or solvent
smell like an auto body shop,” the ISP said. “Look for air line type rubber
tubing, ether or camp fuel cans, plastic bottles, Pseudoephedrine packages,
lithium battery casings, and propane tanks with a blue or green
discoloration around the valve. The chemicals are highly explosive and fumes
are toxic to breath and will damage internal organs.”
Units continue to check pseudoephedrine logs at businesses, and follow up on
tips received. Meth labs are frequently found as a result of an anonymous
tip from a neighbor or friend. Anyone with information about illegal drug
use may call the Pendleton Post at (800) 527-4752, or the Indiana State
Police Drug Tip Line at (800) 453-4756. Tips can be made and kept anonymous.
The Indiana Meth Investigation System, or IMIS, can also take tips on meth
labs. Just go to www.meth.in.gov
and
click on the “Report Suspected Meth Activity” link.
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