COUNTY NO. 1 IN METH LABS - AGAIN

For the second year in a row, McDowell County has placed atop the
state in the number of meth lab busts.

The county garnered the dubious distinction in 2004 as well, but
authorities say it's not something that should be taken as bad news.

They've contended in the past that the meth problem is booming all
over the state, but some counties focus more attention on finding
clandestine labs.

"We've aggressively looked for them, and we're not done," said Lt.
Jackie Turner Jr., who heads McDowell County Drug Enforcement. "Most
of the ones we got were during the first half of the year. The ones
we're getting now are multiple offenders."

McDowell ended the year with 61 busts. Rutherford was second in the
state with 41. In all, authorities raided just over 300 labs across
North Carolina in 2005.

The county saw 43 dismantled labs in 2004, a number that was matched
in May 2005.

Turner said he attributes McDowell's standing to several factors:
help from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S.
Attorney's Office in compiling federal cases, additional state and
federal manpower and aid from citizens and merchants who are phoning
in valuable information.

To date, about 45 meth cooks have been taken off McDowell streets
through federal prosecution.

"That's had a huge impact," the lieutenant stated. "As part of their
plea agreements in federal court, these defendants are pointing out
other targets. Because of our numbers, the DEA has taken us under
their wing and helped us with training, manpower and equipment.
They've helped us put these federal cases together."

The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation has also assigned two
additional agents to McDowell to help work labs.

Due to the number of meth makers now behind bars, Turner stated that
his officers are seeing some relief but they believe more could be on
the way in 2006.

State laws restricting the purchase of some key meth-making
ingredients were set to take effect in the new year.

"We hope to see a sharp decrease in the numbers in 2006 with this new
law and with the number of people we've put in prison," said Turner.
"But we're going to keep prosecuting federally until we run out of
people to prosecute."

He added that, in the new year, he would like to see his officers be
able to refocus some of their efforts on the other drugs -- like
marijuana and cocaine -- that they know are circulating the county.

He thanked all local, state and federal agencies for their help in
dealing with the drug epidemic that's plagued McDowell the past
couple of years and added that it's teamwork from all the officers
that's helped rid the county of these meth cooks.