Meth lab busts rank northern Indiana among the worst

By Megan Baldino (mbaldino@wsbt.com)

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Meth lab busts rank northern Indiana among the worst

The largest mobile meth lab ever found in Elkhart was located inside a moving van earlier this week. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Mar 5, 2009 at 6:22 AM EST

Story Updated: Mar 7, 2009 at 4:38 PM EST

ELKHART COUNTY — As if all the bad economic trouble in Elkhart isn't enough, now the county and city are among the worst in the state for methamphetamine lab seizures.

Indiana State Police say Elkhart County had the second highest number of busts in the state, and five of the top 10 counties are located in northern Indiana.

"This is the worst we've ever seen it up north," said Trooper Jason Faulstich.

Faulstich works with the Meth Suppression Unit and is based out of Bremen. In the last week alone, he says there have been at least six meth labs busted.

He blames the economy and a new method called the "one-pot" for the steady increase.

"It used to be very rural,” he said. “We would hardly ever see it in the city because of the heavy odors; but now with this one-pot they can regulate the odors pretty well. They can control things."

Police in Elkhart are not happy to hear about their new ranking.

"For a city our size to be number one in the state is absolutely ridiculous," said Lt. Ed Windbigler.

And he said he doesn't see the problem going away anytime soon.

Elkhart Fire Investigator Kent Stouder agrees.

"You've got meth in hotels, motels, in cars, in motor homes, homes out in the woods, in remote areas," said Stouder.

This week in South Bend a home exploded, and a meth lab was to blame. And the largest mobile meth lab ever found in Elkhart was located inside a moving van earlier this week. Police say it's a dangerous situation for everyone.

"Like the one-pots, they're literally making a bomb," said Faulstich.

Faulstich urges communities to report any suspicious activity and keep an eye out for meth labs. He is also hoping for stricter regulation of drugs like psuedoephedrine.

"You regulate that and make it harder for people to obtain that, and then you will see a drop in the labs."

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