These days, you don't need a stove for shake-and-bake. Or to cook methamphetamine. The drug itself hasn't changed, but the process of making it has, according to Chief Deputy Jack Campbell of the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office. Meth stoves, or "labs" -- often converted coolers -- are being traded for plastic bottles with the newfound prevalence of what authorities have termed "shake-and-bake" methamphetamine. "It's basically self-contained," Campbell said. "Everything is put into a plastic jug or two-liter soda bottle, and when they shake it up, they don't let it settle out. They pour that liquid through a coffee filter." [continues 786 words]
A Springfield man's "medical marijuana club" was raided Wednesday night, less than 14 hours after he announced the club to the news media. Springfield police raided a home in the 1100 block of North Third Street about 7 p.m. Wednesday and arrested Scott Carriere, 40, according to Deputy Chief Clay Dowis. Carriere will be charged in connection with growing several marijuana plants inside the house, Dowis said, although police did not indicate how much was recovered. Jail records Wednesday night indicate Carriere is being investigated on suspicion that he had between 30 and 500 grams of marijuana and had produced more than 50 plants. [continues 447 words]
Police confiscated $1 million worth of high-quality marijuana from a Wisconsin woman's van on I-55 during a highway drug detail Monday. [redacted] who police say has a legal permit to carry marijuana in California, was arrested after officers found about 83 pounds of marijuana inside five suitcases, according to South Central Illinois Drug Task Force Sgt. Tod Dowdy. When state police pulled over [redacted] van, they smelled marijuana in the vehicle, he said. She allegedly admitted to having the drug in a small case. [continues 192 words]
FARMINGTON -- During the first day of the San Juan Safe Communities Initiative Summit, local task force representatives discussed plans for a united front against a growing methamphetamine epidemic. From 10 a.m. until noon Wednesday at the Farmington Civic Center, six speakers talked about the various elements that comprise a community effort to decrease meth use and sales. The presentations focused on five separate task forces focused on gangs, prevention, intervention, law enforcement and legislative developments. All presenters agreed the issue is one that requires a long-term commitment from many community players, not just law enforcement officials. [continues 571 words]
FARMINGTON --A As new statewide laws limit the sales of pseudoephedrine and increase penalties for methamphetamine trafficking, local officials tout the initiative as a step in the right direction. Ken Christesen, director of Region II Narcotics Task Force, said his agency has seen positive results from similar laws. "We've seen a steady decrease in (meth) labs over the past several years," he said. "That's due to tougher laws and people watching ephedrine, and the amount of it sold." Although much of the substance is produced in Mexican superlabs near the U.S. border, Christesen said there are always users who produce for personal use. Those who manufacture for personal use often sell small amounts to offset the cost of their own supply. [continues 157 words]
