Investigators Find Homemade Ammonia Maker
Last updated Wednesday, November 10, 2004 10:01 PM CST in News
By The Morning News
Members of the Benton County Sheriff's Office drug task force discovered something Tuesday they had never found before: a homemade ammonia maker.
Because of the rise in illegal methamphetamine manufacturing, makers and retailers of anhydrous ammonia -- an ingredient in certain meth-making recipes -- have increased security for their product, making it harder for meth manufacturers to buy or steal, said deputy Doug Gay, public information officer for the sheriff's office.
Investigators, acting on an informant's tip, searched the home of Rodney Luper, 19, and Barbara Henderson, 38, at 310 S. Zion Road Tuesday with Henderson's permission. Their search uncovered an apparatus that created anhydrous ammonia by mixing a drain cleaner and chemical fertilizer.
"Drug task force members had not seen that before," Gay said.
Luper, Henderson and Ronnie Smith, 36, of 1500 Carlton St. in Springdale, were arrested on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and manufacturing a controlled substance, all felonies.
All three were in the Benton County Jail on Wednesday awaiting bond hearings.
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Sharon wrote on Sep 5, 2006 8:25 AM: