NEWS RELEASE





For further information please contact:


Capt. Christian T. Ricks


(573) 526-6115





Mr. Richard Shields


Prosecuting Attorney, Henry County


(660) 885-6963





August 4, 2005


EMPHASIS: Seizure of a Clandestine Methamphetamine laboratory in Henry County





On August 3, 2005 the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the West Central Missouri Drug Task Force in cooperation with the Henry County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recorded the first seizure of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory as a direct result of legislation passed during the 2005 legislative session. Arrested as a result of the investigation was Clint A. Young, 21, Clinton, on charges of making illegal purchases of pseudoephedrine and attempted manufacture of methamphetamine.





As part of the continuing fight against the scourge of methamphetamine, the Missouri Legislature recently passed legislation restricting the sale, purchase, and possession of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Those drugs, which are contained in many over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, are also used in the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine. One of the new provisions requires sellers to keep a log of purchases and requires purchasers to show a photo ID.





The Missouri State Highway Patrol and the West Central Missouri Drug Task Force have been conducting a sweeping investigation of compliance with this new provision. Law enforcement officers in Missouri and Kansas have been inspecting purchase logs in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. Several individuals have been identified as having purchased ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in amounts in excess of the legal limits. As a result of these inspections and through the dedicated work of the Henry County Prosecuting Attorney, Mr. Young was arrested and turned over to the Henry County Sheriff’s Department.





The above charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.





This is a continuing investigation and more arrests are expected.