Pubdate: Tue, 08 Jun 2004
Source: Sun Herald (MS)
Copyright: 2004, The Sun Herald
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/432
Author: Karen Nelson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

COUNTY BOASTS METH LAB CLEANUPS

PASCAGOULA - Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd told county supervisors 
Monday that with equipment, training and support offered through federal 
grants, the county has reached the distinction of having the most 
methamphetamine lab cleanups in the region.

"We've surpassed Pensacola in meth lab cleanups," Byrd said after the 
meeting. "They were No. 1 in the area (from Pensacola to New Orleans)."

His department was given the distinction by a company that is involved 
exclusively with meth lab cleanups.

He said his department has dealt with close to 400 meth-related cases in 
recent years, from breaking up rural labs where the drug was being created 
from a dangerous mix of chemicals to stopping someone transporting large 
quantities of products used to make the drug.

Byrd said he believes the drug manufacturing is so prevalent in Jackson 
County because it migrated from George County where a chemist was 
instrumental in spreading the technique.

Ken Broadus, who has helped write drug-related grants, said Jackson County 
is also in the perfect location. It has lots of rural land with connections 
to metropolitan areas such as Mobile, where there is a demand for the drug. 
The items needed to make the illegal drug are also available in various 
locations in the county.

Byrd's department turns to the state Department of Environmental Quality 
for the actual cleanup of a lab site once officers have stopped production 
and made arrests.

But he has recently bought and equipped a trailer with a breathing system, 
eye wash stations and protective gear to help officers stay safe until the 
illegal labs are dismantled. The $50,000 cost was picked up by part of a 
grant. He has also bought all-terrain vehicles and rehabilitated the county 
helicopter to help in the fight.

Byrd said his department received $400,000 for fighting methamphetamine 
last year, $250,000 this year and is applying to receive another $250,000 
next year.

He told supervisors that his department, the Narcotics Task Force, the 
Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force have 
put so much pressure on manufacturers in the rural areas that the drug labs 
are starting to pop up at urban locations. They have uncovered labs in 
Ocean Springs, in a hotel in Pascagoula and in a house on Polk Street in 
Pascagoula.

Byrd said the county has had 60 meth-related arrests since October.

Board of Supervisors President John McKay told Byrd, "It's good we passed 
up (Pensacola in cleanups), but it's nothing to brag about, because it 
shows how bad off we are." 
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