Illinois Fertilizer
Conference Proceedings
January 22-24, 2001
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Lloyd Burling, Lisa Muirheid Martin, and Jean Trobec1
This presentation describes a request for training funds from the FREC to be passed through to the Illinois State Police (ISP) from the Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association (IFCA).
IFCA believes it is in the best interest of the fertilizer industry to take a proactive and aggressive stance against the illegal use of ammonia for methamphetamine production. While IFCA cannot stop drug use in the state, we can do our best to ensure that those fighting this battle are well educated and aware of the potential health threat that faces them in their battle against methamphetamine. IFCA is concerned about the safety of law enforcement officers and Illinois citizens who may come into contact with stolen anhydrous ammonia; we also wish to support law enforcement efforts to better identify ammonia thieves who prey upon retail agricultural ammonia facilities and farmers.
The production, distribution and use of illegal methamphetamine drugs in rural Illinois is alarming. In 1997, there were 24 labs discovered by police; in 1998, 87 labs; and in 1999, 246 labs. So far in the year 2000, the Illinois State Police tell us that over 300 labs have been discovered. Anhydrous ammonia is an ingredient being used in meth production, and our industry has been targeted for theft on a consistent basis despite intense efforts on our part to increase security and partner with law enforcement to patrol our agrichemical facilities and apprehend the thieves.
It is good public relations for agricultural dealers, producers and ammonia
manufacturers to pull together and utilize a small percentage of FREC dollars
to assist the ISP on this issue. The ISP continues to publicly support agriculture
and recognizes the benefits of anhydrous ammonia fertilizer to our economy,
despite the tragedy of its utilization in the illegal drug culture. By cooperating
with the ISP to help facilitate safety training with regard to recognizing
and safely handling anhydrous ammonia, it may limit the potential for injury
to law enforcement officers and the public who encounter ammonia during methamphetamine
incidents.
In July 2000, IFCA presented a $10,000 grant to the Illinois State Police. In November 2000, the ISP used a portion of the funds to purchase surveillance equipment (cameras, infrared sensors, and alarms) that they mounted on two "decoy" nurse tanks donated to the ISP by IFCA members. According to the ISP, the infrared sensors have directly led to the arrest of several ammonia thieves.
The ISP will utilize the remainder of the grant money in early 2001 to provide training and personal protective equipment for local law enforcement officers attending the Drug Enforcement Administration's Clandestine Laboratory Certification Training class. The class is 40 hours in length and addresses how to identify and investigate illegal lab operations, including how to recognize and safely handle anhydrous ammonia that may be utilized as part of the lab.
1 Lloyd Burling is President, Lisa Muirheid Martin is Communications Director, and Jean Trobec is Government Relations Director, Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association.
