Menu

by Annie Cunningham

A practice that began in Mexico and California has slowly made its way into Ohio, and farmers are paying the price. The production of the illegal drug methamphetamines (meth) is growing in Ohio, and a common ingredient of meth is anhydrous ammonia. There have been numerous cases of anhydrous theft in Ohio, and the case numbers continue to grow with the popularity of the easy-to-make drug.

"Because of the huge number of farmers who use anhydrous, Ohio is prime hunting ground for cookers who use it," said John Burke, commander of the Warren-Clinton Drug and Strategic Operations Task Force. "Cookers from other states where anhydrous is not so common are looking to Ohio for their supplies."

Chemical companies, feed stores and farmers are desperate to safeguard their supplies of anhydrous ammonia. By day farmers shank it into the soil where the corn grows, but by night the ammonia tanks, in the fields or nearby in storage sheds, are vulnerable to the thieving ways of meth manufacturers. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) member Southwest Landmark in Pleasant Plains has been hit more than 20 times by anhydrous thieves. The last person arrested was from Alabama. Mike Young, Warren County Farm Bureau member and manager of Southwest Landmark, said the co-op’s location is appealing to anhydrous thieves. The store is secluded and located on a dead-end street. "Having as many tanks as we do is just advertising for trouble," Young said.

He added it’s not the amount that is stolen that is the problem; it’s the liability and the safety of the people who work there. "Used the wrong way, anhydrous can be very dangerous, and these people would shoot you just as soon as look at you if you tried to stop them. It’s hard to catch them because they can be in and out of here in less than 10 minutes"

Burke and his task force set up a sting operation at the Landmark, which resulted in the arrest of two people – a third got away on foot. Burke said the problem in Ohio is rising, and more and more counties are implementing task forces to reduce the number of thefts. At Landmark, surveillance cameras and security lights were set up. Young also was advised to not leave hoses attached to the tanks at the end of the day because the amount of anhydrous ammonia in the hose could be enough for a batch of meth. Most meth manufacturers siphon the anhydrous into a tank that resembles that common on gas grills. If they get away with stealing the anhydrous ammonia, the profit will be high – a gallon of anhydrous ammonia can be used to make meth valued at $3,000 to $5,000. At the distribution level, prices range from $3,500 per pound in parts of California and Texas to $21,000 per pound in southeastern and northeastern regions of the country. Retail prices range from $400 to $3,000 per ounce, according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

"In my 33 years I’ve been here, I never thought I’d see anything like this. These are desperate people, not people I’m used to dealing with. We know just about everyone who buys anhydrous ammonia from us, so I guess it’s easier for them to steal it than to explain to us why they need it and where they’re going to use it," Young said.

Methamphetamines are highly addictive and dangerous stimulants, and these drugs are sold in powder, pill and capsule forms that can be inhaled through the nose, swallowed, smoked or injected. Like cocaine and crack, the physical effects of methamphetamines are increased alertness, euphoria, appetite loss, dilated pupils, elevated heart rate, increased respiration and elevated body temperature. Prolonged use can cause blurred vision, dizziness, loss of coordination and collapse. An overdose can result in high blood pressure, fever, stroke and heart failure.

The most popular methamphetamines are commonly called speed, meth, crank, crystal or crystal meth; in its smokable form, it is called ice, glass or crystal. Methamphetamines are usually found in powder form in colors ranging from white to tan. It is sold in small plastic or paper packets or plastic bags. The paraphernalia associated with inhaling the drug are razor blades, mirrors, straws and rolled dollar bills; the items associated with injecting the drug include syringes, spoons and surgical tubing, bandanas, or a belt used to constrict the vein, according to DEA.

Meth production has risen to become a nationwide problem. According to DEA, in states such as California, Arkansas and Iowa, problems arising from meth use and addiction have increased "significantly" since the early 1990s. In Ohio the number of meth lab seizures has risen from 24 in 1999 to 114 in 2002.

Recipes for cooking meth, often handed down or obtained on the Internet, call for procurer substances that may include fertilizer and over-the-counter cold tablets, agents said. The Internet sites also give cooking tips such, "Please don't smoke in the same room when you do this" and "It's a good idea to do this when you're not ( high)."

Burke said the labs aren’t always easy to find. They range from campsites and abandoned houses to traveling labs in vans and tractor-trailers. Burke said Ohio law enforcement agencies have busted several mobile labs in Ohio.

"The makeshift labs pose risks for neighbors and law-enforcement agents. It can be extremely dangerous when the chemicals come together," Burke. "There's a lot of potential for fire and explosion and health hazards from breathing toxic fumes."

Scott Williams, OFBF’s director of state legislative affairs, said retired farmers who rent their farms should be knowledgeable of the epidemic and sure of the intent of the renters.

Burke said farmers should detach hoses at night, keep tanks in a well-lit area or a locked building and not to leave sprayers in fields. They also should be aware of the amount in the tanks at the end of the day and check them before the start of the next workday.

If a farmer believes his tanks have been tampered with, he should call the local sheriff’s department immediately and try not to touch anything. The other chemicals people use to make meth can range from rubbing alcohol to drain cleaner. Burke said for every one pound of meth produced, cookers throw out six pounds of toxic waste.

"Farmers should not just assume they caught the tank hose on the hitch on the tractor if it’s cut. They should inspect their areas and look for trash and other paraphernalia," OFBF’s Williams said. "This stuff is toxic and could eat holes in your skin."

Burke believes education is the biggest step to take in reducing the number of thefts and meth labs. The Ohio Supreme Court is organizing a two-day meth symposium, and Burke said it will be important for lawmaker and enforcement agencies to hear from farm leaders. OFBF staff will be involved in the symposium.

While OFBF wants to help stop drug manufacturing and use, it does not want farmers to pay the price for the crimes of others. In the 124^th General Assembly a bill was introduced to House banning the possession of anhydrous. Williams worked with the bill sponsor and others to amend the bill to allow exemptions for agriculture use, research, etc.

"We don’t want anyone restricting quantities of anhydrous, and we don’t want farmers having to have every tank inspected," Williams said.

Gov. Bob Taft made it tougher on meth manufacturers and users when he signed House Bill 7 in 2001. The law makes possession of equipment or ingredients to manufacture methamphetamines a felony punishable by up to eight years in prison. It also increases the penalty for making the stimulant within 1,000 feet of a school and lets communities recover the cost of cleaning up illegal labs from people convicted of running them.

1. Never leave a nurse tank where it can be seen from the road.

2. Try to park nurse tanks in well-lighted areas, but not near a residence.

3. Park so thieves can't easily tap the tank.

4. Set delivery times as close as possible to actual application.

5. Bleed and remove hoses at the end of the day. A typical hose will contain enough ammonia for a batch of meth.

6. Lock up tanks if possible.

7. If you don't have locks, place brightly colored plastic wire ties or seals between the valve wheel and the roll cage to facilitate quick visual checks.

8. Know how much you're leaving in the tank, and then inspect it first thing in the morning.

9. If you suspect you've been hit with a theft, check for reddish chemical-based stains around the tank, but don't disturb the area. Contact local law enforcement immediately.

10. NEVER attempt to stop a thief. He or she might attempt to throw a container of ammonia at you in an attempt to get away, and a person under meth influence can become dangerously violent.