Published: October 30, 2009 07:25 pm      

NAPD warns about new dangerous types of meth labs

Five labs found in one month, one found on side of street

Police say a new method of making methamphetamine that is more dangerous and more difficult to detect has become a growing problem in New Albany.

This new type of manufacturing meth is called the “Shake n’ Bake” or “One Pot Method.”

New Albany Police Department Capt. Greg Pennell, the commanding officer of the department’s FLEX unit that investigates drug crime in the city, said five of these meth labs have been found in New Albany in just the last month.

Police say the one pot method has grown in popularity because it gives off less odor and because new laws limit the amount of ephedrine individuals can obtain in a seven day period. “In the past, we have been able to locate many meth labs because someone walking on the street or even a neighbor notices a strong odor,” Pennell said. “With this method, you don’t have as much odor.”

Although it produces less meth than older methods, it is easier and faster to make. The meth cook only needs one sealed container, oftentimes a two-liter soft drink bottle or sport drink bottle. The ingredients are added to the sealed container and pressure begins to build creating one police call a “time bomb” if the pressure is not released.

The only ingredients needed are Coleman stove fuel, ephedrine, ammonium nitrate fertilizer and lithium strips that are usually removed from batteries.

Pennell said that these labs are also more dangerous. He said that over the summer one bottle used as a meth lab was found by street department workers in a drainage ditch next to a road. The concern is that the bottles can leave behind harmful toxic residue, and children may pick up the bottles.

The bottles usually contain a muddy brown granular residue, police say.

“This (One Pot Method) is also a lot faster and is very portable,” Pennell said. “If you think you’ve found one, don’t touch it. Call the police right away.”

Clark County Sheriff Danny Rodden said he has heard of the “One Pot Method” being used in Jeffersonville and other areas but that his department has not seen any. The Jeffersonville Police Department could not be reached for comment.

NAPD is asking citizens and business owners to be on alert for containers that appear to be used for meth or for anyone purchasing significant quantities of the ingredients used to make the drug.

Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is asked to call the department’s tip line at 812-948-NAPD.