Nine Arrested in Pseudo Ephedrine Scheme

On February 23, 2009, The GBI Drug Task Force, Jesup Police ACE (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement) Team, and CNT arrested four people in the Jesup and Odum area that were traveling to Savannah purchasing pseudo ephedrine for the purpose to manufacture methamphetamine. This was a follow up investigation that began on January 14, 2009 with Savannah-Chatham Metro Police, where five suspects were arrested in Savannah after they were observed purchasing pseudo ephedrine from several different pharmacies in Savannah.

The main ingredient in methamphetamine is ephedrine or pseudo ephedrine, commonly found in cold tablets such as Sudafed.  Chemicals included in the manufacturing process are Acetone, Alcohol (gasoline additives or rubbing), Toluene, Engine Starting Fluid, Drain Cleaner, Coffee Filters, Iodine, Salt (table or rock), Lithium Batteries, Propane Tanks (used to store anhydrous ammonia), Lye, Matches, Pyrex or Vision Cookware and Muriatic Acid.  If you work for a retailer who sells these items, and you notice someone buying a large quantity, or frequently buying combinations of the above items, contact police.
During the January 14, 2009 incident, agents seized more than twenty boxes of pseudo ephedrine, digital scales, approximately $1,000 in currency, and a black ledger book that contained dates, the names of numerous pharmacies in Liberty, Bryan, Glynn, and Chatham counties, and the amount of pseudo ephedrine purchased from each.  It was also learned doing the investigation that each person was being paid $5 dollars for every box of pseudo ephedrine purchased and that they traveled together to the various pharmacies.

Georgia law limits purchases of pseudo ephedrine to 3.6 grams in any one day and 9 grams in any 30 day period.  Pharmacies are required to swipe a purchaser’s Drivers License or verify and log the identification of anyone purchasing products with pseudo ephedrine.  It is also illegal for a person to possess, sell, transfer, or otherwise furnish a product containing pseudo ephedrine to anyone with the knowledge or intent that the substance will be used in the unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance (being methamphetamine).

The following subjects were arrested in Savannah on January 14, 2009 and all were from the Jesup area: 
1.  Joshua RAMSEY                   2.  Jennifer RAMSEY
   
                               

3.  Deborah MOODY                     4.  David SHAUT
   
                         

5.  Paola EBBRECHT

On February 23, 2008, agents arrested four more subjects that were associated with the group and participating in the same activity of purchasing pseudo ephedrine from various pharmacies in Savannah. Again, these individuals were from the Jesup area but were traveling to the Savannah and Brunswick area purchasing pseudo ephedrine.

The following subjects were arrested:

1.  Gerri CLEMONS             2. Crystal STEEDLY
                   

3.  Tina BURCHELL 4.  Curtis HANNAH

All of the subjects were charged with unlawful possession of pseudo ephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and conspiracy to possess pseudo ephedrine with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
If you think someone is manufacturing methamphetamine but do not want to get involved because you think it does not affect you, consider this.  Each pound of meth produced leaves behind five or six pounds of toxic waste.  Meth cooks often pour leftover chemicals and byproduct sludge down drains in nearby plumbing, storm drains, or directly onto the ground.  Solvents and other toxic byproducts used to make meth pose long-term hazards because they can persist in soil and groundwater for years.  To report an incident involving methamphetamine, and remain anonymous, call the Meth Strike Force 1-800-466-6806 or the CNT Hotline at 912-232-0402.
There are several ways to ingest methamphetamine.  Among these are smoking, snorting, intravenous injections, or ingested orally.  The most common way of ingesting is smoking. Methamphetamine can cause paranoia, decreased appetite and increased physical activity.  Other effects include irritability; extreme nervousness, insomnia, confusion, aggression and can also raise the body’s temperature.  Methamphetamine can cause accelerated heartbeat, elevated blood pressure and can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain.