News Release



For further information please contact:

Sgt. Jason Clark (573) 522-0980

DDCC02-24

February 25, 2005



EMPHASIS: 2004 Statewide Methamphetamine Laboratory Totals





Colonel Roger D. Stottlemyre, Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the 2004 Missouri statewide methamphetamine laboratory totals. There were a total of 2,788 methamphetamine laboratory incidents reported statewide in 2004. This is a slight decrease from the 2,860 incidents reported in 2003. Methamphetamine laboratory incidents are classified into three categories; operational/nonoperational labs, chemical/glassware/equipment seizures and lab dump sites. 40% of these incidents were operational/non operational labs, while 30% were lab dumpsites and 30% chemical/glassware/equipment seizures. All law enforcement agencies in the state are required to report the methamphetamine laboratory seizures to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Patrol enters Missouri’s seizures into the National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure System, which is maintained by the Drug Enforcement Administration at the El Paso Intelligence Center (Epic) in El Paso, Texas.



Missouri has led the nation in methamphetamine laboratory seizures the past several years and was at the top of the list again this year. The top ten states in 2004 were as follows;



1. Missouri - 2,788

2. Iowa- 1,300

3. Tennessee- 1,273

4. Indiana- 1,040

5. Illinois- 1,005

6. Washington- 791

7. Arkansas- 741

8. California- 703

9. Oklahoma- 654

10. Kentucky- 562



The top five counties in the state of Missouri were as follows;



1. Jefferson- 259

2. Jasper- 155

3. Franklin- 138

4. St. Charles- 119

5. Greene- 111



Complete methamphetamine laboratory totals can be viewed at the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s public website, www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov as of March 1, 2005.