Pubdate: Sat, 08 May 2004
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2004 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.oklahoman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Michael Baker, The Oklahoman

SWEEPS PLANNED TO FIND BANNED METH INGREDIENT

Time is up for non-pharmacies to legally dispose of pseudoephedrine 
tablets, law enforcement officials said Friday as they announced undercover 
sweeps to identify offenders and find black-market providers.

"No more Mr. Nice Guy," said Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma 
Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. "We will be doing undercover 
sweeps around the state to identify stores that continue to possess and 
sell pseudoephedrine tablets and they risk jail time."

Drug investigators also are preparing for the possibly expanding black 
market for the methamphetamine ingredient, he said.

"We do expect it," he said. "We'll deal with it."

Gov. Brad Henry signed legislation April 6 that banned the sale of 
pseudoephedrine tablets in stores without a licensed pharmacist. The law 
does not affect the sale of pseudoephedrine in capsule and liquid forms.

Businesses other than pharmacies were to remove the tablets immediately 
from public access. However, law enforcement gave the businesses a 30-day 
grace period to arrange buybacks or have investigators take possession of 
the tablets.

Time expired Friday.

Businesses that still have the tablets should call law enforcement 
immediately, Woodward said, or risk harsher penalties if caught during a 
sting. Those found guilty of selling pseudoephedrine tablets can be 
sentenced to as many as five years in prison and fined up to $1,000.

The goal is to cut the supply of pseudoephedrine to methamphetamine 
manufacturers. Law enforcement officials believe that could make a dent in 
the methamphetamine trade.

"We've already seen some effects," Woodward said. "It's not going to stop 
them from buying black market pseudoephedrine from the back of trucks, but 
it's going to make a difference because they can't go across the street."
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