When sheriff’s deputies attempted to serve a warrant on a Radcliff man earlier this week, they also uncovered approximately 4 grams of crystal methamphetamine.
Local narcotics investigators have spotted an increase in the use of crystal meth as opposed to meth cooked in home labs since a bill increasing the regulation of allergy and cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine went into effect.
Ron Eckart, director of the Greater Hardin County Narcotics Task Force, said the agency busted 54 one-step meth labs in 2012 as opposed to 90 the previous year.
“They can’t get as much (pseudoephedrine) as they used to,” Eckart said.
Gov. Steve Beshear signed Senate Bill 3 into law in April. According to the law, consumers may not purchase more than 7.2 grams per month of allergy or cold medicines containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine without a prescription.
It also sets an annual cap at 24 grams per year.
Previously, state law allowed a monthly limit at 9 grams but did not assign an annual cap, Eckart said, meaning consumers could purchase up to 108 grams per year.
In a news release, the task force said crystal methamphetamine often is referred to as “ice” or “glass” and resembles broken shards of glass.
In contrast to powder methamphetamine manufactured in home labs, the crystal product typically originates in “super labs” in Mexico or western states, Eckart said.
It also costs about $125 to $150 for 1 gram as opposed to $100 for a gram of the powder, he said.
“Meth is meth, really,” Eckart said. “It’s just a different method of producing it.”
On Monday, deputies from the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office were attempting to serve an arrest warrant for fourth-degree assault on David R. Simpson Jr., 35, of Radcliff, when they found crystal methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in Simpson’s Homestead Avenue residence, according to a news release.
Investigators ultimately found 4 grams of crystal meth packaged in bags, police said. Each bag was marked with a weight.
Numerous used and new syringes, scales and pipes also were located, according to the release.
Simpson and Michael T. Carman, 35, of Radcliff, who also was found in the residence, were arrested and charged with first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In addition to those charges, police also served Carman with six bench warrants for five pending cases in Hardin district and circuit courts.
According to the sheriff’s office, Carman has failed to appear at hearings for felony charges of wanton endangerment and criminal mischief as well as alleged misdemeanor probation violations.
Carman and Simpson are lodged at Hardin County Detention Center in lieu of $75,000 cash bonds.
If anyone has information about narcotics, they can contact the Hardin County Narcotics Task Force at (270) 769-0694.
Sarah Bennett can be reached at (270) 505-1750 or sbennett@thenewsenterprise.com.
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