Pubdate: Wed, 02 Feb 2005
Source: Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK)
Copyright: C2005 Muskogee Daily Phoenix
Contact: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3319
Author: Elizabeth Ridenour
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE CHARGES FILED

Store Owner Has Feb. 8 Court Date In Meth-Making Drug Case

A Tahlequah store owner was charged Tuesday with possessing and selling 
pseudoephedrine, according to Cherokee County District Court documents.

Shailesh Kumar R. "Sonny" Patel, 30, owner of Super Mart at First Street 
and Bertha Parker Bypass was arrested Friday.

Patel's bond had been set at $250,000, but that amount was reduced to 
$50,000, and he was released Monday from Cherokee County Jail.

He is scheduled to be back in Cherokee County District Court on Feb. 8 for 
an initial appearance.

Patel is charged with possession of pseudoephedrine to manufacture 
methamphetamine, unlawful sale of precursors to manufacture 
methamphetamine, failure to have permit to sell precursor substance, 
maintaining a place resorted to by users of controlled drugs and unlawful 
possession of paraphernalia.

Investigators received a tip that Patel's store had name-brand products 
containing pseudoephedrine stocked on the shelves.

Investigators also found a dozen cases of products containing pseudoephedrine.

State law prohibits anyone except pharmacies from selling over-the-counter 
cold tablets such as Sudafed or Benadryl that contain pseudoephedrine, 
which is used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

These cold tablets are now considered controlled substances, according to 
the law, and pharmacies are supposed to report people who violate the limit.

The law, enacted in April, states that sales records are to be kept and no 
more than nine grams of the ingredient, or about six boxes of cold 
medicine, are to be sold to one person during a 30-day period.
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MAP posted-by: Beth