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Frankfort,
KY-Anhydrous ammonia is a key nitrogen fertilizer for
crops. It also is an ingredient in the street drug methamphetamine,
or meth. That makes it a prime target of thieves who
steal the product from tanks on farms and at farm supply
dealerships.
Thefts
of anhydrous ammonia have become a major headache for
law-enforcement officials and can be dangerous for the
perpetrators, police, firefighters and others.
"On
a scale of one to 10, it would probably be a 10,"
said Lt. Jeff Jones of the Daviess County Sheriff's
Department in assessing the problems that anhydrous
thefts have caused his agency.
"We
strongly urge farmers to take steps to minimize the
chances of being victimized by a theft, and contact
law-enforcement agencies when they have been hit,"
Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith said.
Anhydrous
thefts are more frequent this time of year because farmers
are applying the fertilizer for this growing season.
Thieves scout rural communities for tanks that look
like easy pickings - left close to the road or in a
poorly lit location, for example - and steal the product
to sell on the black market or to produce meth, a powerful
central nervous system stimulant.
Cheyenne
Albro, director of the Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force
based in Hopkinsville, said a black market for anhydrous
exists in several states that surround Kentucky and
also in the eastern part of the state.
"For
those who are willing to take the risk, they do stand
to profit considerably," Jones said.
People
who steal anhydrous ammonia place themselves - as well
as police and firefighters - in danger of harm by exposure
or explosion, the authorities said. Frequently the danger
is created when anhydrous is transferred to an improper
container, Jones said.
"Anhydrous
ammonia is giving us a lot of problems as far as investigation
time and the hazards of disposing of it when we recover
it," Albro said.
Albro
and Jones said farmers and farm suppliers can minimize
their risk of being targeted and help authorities catch
anhydrous thieves. Among their suggestions:
·
Keep tanks in a well-lit area and out of plain sight
from a road. "A farmer who leaves a tank out sitting
in a field is saying, 'Come and get me,' " Albro
said.
·
Try to keep on the farm only as much anhydrous ammonia
as you need at a time. Have tanks delivered as close
to the time of application as possible. Immediately
return them to the bulk plant when finished.
·
When possible, lock the tank valve.
·
If you are the victim of a theft, contact law-enforcement
officials immediately. It's important for authorities
to know where the thieves strike so they can set up
surveillance at those locations, Albro and Jones said.
Theft
of anhydrous ammonia or possession of the substance
in an improper container is a Class D felony punishable
by one to five years in prison. Stealing or possessing
anhydrous with the intent to manufacture meth is a Class
B felony and carries a prison term of 10 to 20 years.
For
more information, or to report a theft, contact the
Pennyrile Narcotics Task Force at (270) 885-0031; the
Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement/Special Investigations
unit at (502) 695-6321; or your local law enforcement
agency.
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