Pubdate: Thu, 19 Feb 2004
Source: Casper Star-Tribune (WY)
Copyright: 2004 Casper Star-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.trib.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/765
Author: Matthew Van Dusen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

HOTELS CONCERNED ABOUT METH LABS

Please do not disturb: We are cooking meth.

Of course, this sign wouldn't be hanging from the hotel or motel door. But
there would be smells, and the room's occupants would act weird, and there
would be black plastic bags or pop bottles sealed with duct tape.

In such a case, Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Al
Bennett offers this advice: "Run away."

Bennett spoke to the Casper Area Hotel/Motel Association on Thursday about
the dangers of people making methamphetamine in hotels and motels.

In the last five years, law enforcement officials have found labs in six
hotels and motels, Bennett estimated. It is not an epidemic, but as cooking
devices become increasingly low-tech and methamphetamine chefs become wise
to police surveillance, Bennett thinks production will take to the road.

There were 61 meth lab busts in Wyoming in 2002 and only 30 in 2003, which
means people may already be doing their cooking at remote locations, Bennett
said.

That shifts the problem to inn managers and owners.

"If they are doing a full process -- a full cook in a room -- you guys are
going to have some problems," he said.

The most serious problem is that meth by-products, such as phosphine gas,
are highly toxic and can cause respiratory damage. Bennett showed the crowd
an innocuous-looking black garbage bag, -- he called it a "death bag" --
that, if punctured, can release the fumes.

If people have been cooking meth, the room may be contaminated. Blankets
need to be washed several times before they can even be thrown out. Room
electronics will be unsalvageable.

There is no law mandating these actions right now, but it may be coming,
Bennett said.

"You're going to be responsible for clean-up before you can rent these rooms
again," he said.

Bennett told the crowd they needed to start thinking about the problem. For
example, he told them to ask for picture identification when their guests
pay in cash.

But monitoring guests may bring the hotels and motel officials up against
their own privacy rules. Christine Hill, the president of the association,
asked about the liabilities involved with giving guest records to law
enforcement.

Some members of the crowd thought it was OK, others said their corporate
rules forbid it.

In the end, meeting attendees said they would talk with their staff about
what they had learned and try to come up with ways of dealing with meth, if
indeed it becomes a problem.

Helga Bull and Patty Morrell from the Best Western Douglas Inn said they
wanted to share what they had learned with the larger community. Casper
agencies and businesses are currently putting together a community action
plan to deal with the meth problem.

Sven George, the director of operations at the Parkway Plaza Hotel and
Convention Centre, said he had never heard of a meth lab in a Parkway room,
though "a few times, we've been suspicious."

"I think we're just trying to be proactive," he said.
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