ISP tells how to
recognize a meth lab
in your neighborhood—Page 3
The
Cardinal Greenway
project seeks to
increase trail’s
benefits—Page 4
Mine eyes have seen
the glory: a college
student’s LASIK
experience—Page 8
SEGway News
Volume 1, Number 11
Serving South East Grant County
December 15-21, 2016
A Good News Ventures publication
Methamphetamine lab found in downtown Upland
By Catherine KertonJohnson
The Joint Effort Against
Narcotics Team for Grant
County made five arrests this
week, after a large methamphetamine lab was raided in a
downtown Upland apartment
on Thursday, 1st December.
Detective Sergeant Josh
Zigler of the J.E.A.N Team,
based in Marion, said that the
raid was the result of several
months of investigation into
a large group of meth dealers
that were based in Upland,
in a building across from the
Fire Department and next
door to the Center Stage
Dance Studio.
“We were alerted to heavy
traffic in and out of the back
door of the apartment, and to
a problem in the parking areas of The Bridge Cafe, and
McClure Garage, with trash
being left around and illegal
parking during the day. This
is often one of the signs that
clandestine activity is taking place in a residence.”
In coordination with the
Blackford County Drug Task
Force, detectives obtained
pseudoephedrine purchase
records from local vendors,
and connected a number of
purchases with the address
on Main Street. With that
evidence, they were able to
obtain a search warrant and
when the squad entered the
building, they discovered
the equipment that had been
used for cooking methamphetamine. Five arrests have
been made, and no children
under 18 were involved.
The building is owned by a
local family, who is now responsible for the professional cleaning of the apartment
and is working closely with
the Health Department to
ensure the area is made safe.
Detective Zigler emphasized
that, although in some areas
buildings share central heating vents, this apartment had
its own centralised venting
and so none of the adjoining buildings will have been
contaminated.
“A significant danger to
the Upland community has
been removed by the discovery of this lab”, said Detective Zigler. “There is a high
possibility of sudden fires
due to the volatile chemicals
being used, as well as explosions. In addition, the clientele who frequent these labs
can often be dangerous.”
The State Health Department says in its information
guide on Meth Labs that,
“Meth cooking produces 5
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to 7 pounds of solid and liquid chemical wastes for each
pound of meth made. These
byproducts are considered
hazardous waste, and it can
contaminate a building and
its contents or the groundwater or soil where they are
dumped. Chemical reactions
depend on the substances
used and cause the process
to be hazardous, frequently
resulting in chemical fires,
explosions, and the release
of toxic gases.”
Narconon, a drug rehabilitation and education
group, describes the effects
of heavy methamphetamine
use: “Heavy users tend to
experience
hallucinations
and delusions. Some users
develop sores on their face
or body when they have been
picking at their skin, think-
$
ing that there are bugs crawling under their skin that they
can’t see.
Because of the caustic
nature of the chemicals and
the fact that the drug dries
up the flow of saliva, a meth
addict’s teeth may get rotten
and brown. This is referred
to as “meth mouth.”
Meth users suffer from
poor judgment and may
engage in risky lifestyles.
When a person becomes a
meth addict, getting the drug
becomes far more important
than taking care of the home,
children or work. The children may go unfed. Animal
feces around the home may
not be cleaned up. Used diapers may be found all over
the home. Drug paraphernalia and drugs may be within
reach of children. If there are
children in the home of confirmed meth users, families
should take effective action
as the children of meth users may come to harm due
to neglect, abuse or worse.
An overdose of methamphetamine can cause overheating
to the point of convulsions,
cardiovascular collapse or
death.”
Detective Zigler says that
due to effective community
engagement with the narcotics departments in Grant
County, drug arrests in the rural areas outside Marion are
on the decline. What is most
important, he points out,
is that people are aware of
the signs of drug abuse, and
know the physical signs of
possible drug labs and dens
in their local area. Working
together will make it possible to massively decrease
the danger of drug dealing,
and production in our local
neighbourhoods, and protect
our families and our property
from the damage that comes
with drug abuse.
The J.E.A.N. Team will
take anonymous tips from
anyone who sees suspicious
activity, at their local number
765-664-0019.
See also page 3 for indepth reading on drug prevention in our communities.
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