'Shake And Bake' Meth Making Becoming More Popular

KCCI.com

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Aug 31, 2010 at 4:54 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2010 at 4:54 PM CST

DES MOINES, Iowa - Local law enforcement authorities said Tuesday that they are seeing more methamphetamine made in Iowa using a process that is harder to detect.

The issue is gaining more attention this week after authorities said a fire at the Willow Park apartments last weekend was sparked by an explosion that resulted from two men making meth. Investigators blame the simpler meth lab process for several recent fires in Des Moines, including last Saturday's Willow Park fire.

"The technique has changed. There's a new method of cooking," said David Knutzen, a Des Moines fire investigator.

Officials said the old method of people produced meth in the woods or in farm fields because of the smell is being replaced by a simpler meth lab process. Some call the process the Shake and Bake or One Pot Meth Making.

The process limits the smell, which makes it easier to do inside an apartment of house. Production is now done by anyone who can shake a bottle, officials said.

The state Narcotics Enforcement Division has a video that shows how meth is now made with toxic chemicals in a 2-liter bottle. You can see the sparks flare up during the process in the video.

Of labs seized in 2010, Polk County had the most, 22, followed by Dubuque, Blackhawk and Webster counties.

Already this year, there have been 156 seizures compared with 267 during all of last year. Some 20 have been Shake and Bake labs, with 44 children affected.

Police said children should be aware of empty bottles along the road with what looks like kitty litter inside. They should be considered dangerous.

Authorities said that children picking up the bottles maybe enough to make the chemicals inside start to react.

With the one pot method, people may be unaware of meth cooking next door or even in their own home.

The key ingredient for meth is pseudoephedrine, which is in cold medicines. A new law goes into effect on Wednesday to track people who buy it in pharmacies all across the state.

Police hope the new law will help them crack down on meth makers.

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