Tulsa World: Fires tied to meth trend

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Fires tied to meth trend
A new method of making the drug is wildly popular.

By LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent
Published: 9/19/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 9/19/2009 4:12 AM

BARTLESVILLE — A new method of meth production that has grown exponentially in Tulsa is now being blamed for two high-profile fires in Bartlesville, an official said Thursday.

"Shake 'n' bake" meth production was responsible for both a major fire at a historic downtown building and an explosion in an apartment that killed a man, said Mark Woodward, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control spokesman.

"The last couple of months we have seen an increase of the shake 'n' bake," Bartlesville Police Detective Kevin Ickleberry said. "It's a one-pot cook, and that's why it is so popular. The one-pot cook is real simple. There's not much to it."

Woodward said several pots, each using the one-container cooking method, were involved in the Aug. 31 fire at the May Brothers Building, a historic landmark that was heavily damaged by the blaze.

The meth activity in the building was traced to a storage area above Robert's Restaurant. Police served several search warrants in the investigation during the last week.

"The real danger with meth is it is simple to make," Police Chief Tom Holland said. "You can essentially go to the hardware store, the drug store or under your kitchen sink and find the ingredients, and they are not regulated."

The method also is being blamed for an Aug. 27 explosion at Rolling Hills Apartments. A man who was severely burned in the resulting fire died this week at a Tulsa hospital.

Bartlesville police say they often come across meth-manufacturing evidence while conducting traffic stops. Last weekend, police stopped Michael Scott Agoada, 23, of Bartlesville and discovered eight 48-tablet boxes of cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient of meth. Agoada was charged with possession of excessive amounts of pseudoephedrine.

Woodward said the recipe for the new cooking method is being shared among meth users.

Michael Erron Dodson, 19, of Bartlesville is alleged to have had meth ingredients in his pickup when he was pulled over by Bartlesville police in July.

Dodson told police he had been using meth for about a year and had learned how to make it from a friend in Tulsa. He said he mixed his concoctions at a home in Bartlesville.

Tulsa's previous high for meth-lab busts was 214 in 2003. So far this year, the number is 216, Tulsa police said. State drug officials are scrambling to find a solution before the newest drug crisis expands across the state.

The problems also have spread to more rural areas. Washington County's Drug Task Force arrested Tyrone and Angela Spears earlier this year after searching their Ochelata home and finding numerous drugs, including methamphetamine, and a how-to list for making it, documents show.

"It spreads as people talk to one another," Woodward said. "One friend tells another how to make it, and they tell two friends. It won't be long before it has moved beyond just northeast Oklahoma."

Police are urging residents to be aware of odd chemical odors — such as ether — coming from buildings or houses, and to watch for heavy traffic at potential dealers' locations.

Security cameras mounted on the outside of homes sometimes indicate drug activity, as can aggressive dogs.

Police urge parents to talk to their children and to be aware of whom they are hanging out with.

"People who are involved with meth are hurting more than just themselves," Holland said. "They are hurting innocent people along the way." By LAURA SUMMERS World Correspondent

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	Report Comment oldrustytulsa, Tulsa (9/19/2009 9:16:32 AM) Im not a rocket scientist but putting industrial chemicals into ones body is not very smart.
	Report Comment Alyazone, Tulsa (9/19/2009 11:28:18 AM) Oh well this drug is Top Of the Mountain all over the United States Of America. It's man made don't have to go threw the Borders. And you have so many powerful people that use this drug. And the Danger is if you rat a big timer out you may be shot by one of the Meth Heads. And that is what's scary about these drug on Tulsa's Streets And across the United States Of America
	Report Comment Bullhead, Nicut (9/19/2009 10:29:11 PM) I wonder if there will EVER be a solution to this deadly stuff.
	Report Comment Centrist, the burbs (9/20/2009 12:12:42 AM) This is going to be tough to stop now. We can't keep putting all products behind the counter and make people show i.d. and sign for everything.

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