State grants aim to deter meth makers
Area businesses will use funds to lock anhydrous tanks
Thursday, December 7, 2006
GALESBURG - Two Warren County agribusinesses will receive grants to help lock down their farm fertilizer to deter drug makers from stealing it, the state announced Wednesday.The governor's office has awarded just over $3,000 total to Twomey Co. and Liqui-Grow, which are agriculture fertilizer dealers in Warren County. They are among 35 west-central Illinois dealers awarded a total of $140,000 in grants to help prevent the theft of anhydrous ammonia, a farm fertilizer that is stolen to manufacture methamphetamine.
West-central Illinois was targeted in the Anhydrous Ammonia Security Grant Initiative because it is where meth, a highly addictive stimulant, was first discovered in the state. The grants will be opened to statewide dealers next year.
The money is helpful because investing in security equipment otherwise does not make economic sense, the dealers say. The small amount of product stolen is far less valuable than the cost to secure it. This cost-share program pays for up to two-thirds of the cost of security improvements, such as video surveillance, security lighting and heavy-duty locks
"We opted for the locks," said John V. Twomey, a manager of Twomey Co., which will receive $2,064. "One reason is sometimes these tanks are sitting on a farmer's property for a day or two. No matter where the tanks are, they can be locked."
Liqui-Grow also will use its grant to buy locks, said manager Jeff Hyde, whose Roseville business will receive $1,252.
The heavy-duty locks will be placed on the portable tanks carrying anhydrous ammonia. Many rural travelers have seen the tanks, which are about 12 feet long and have a white, cylindrical pressurized tank on wheels.
"At our facilities over the past three years, we've had several attempts made to steal the anhydrous," Twomey said.
Thieves have attempted it at Hyde's business, too.
Meth makers want anhydrous ammonia because it is used to extract ephedrine from pills in the illegal meth-making process. In agriculture, anhydrous ammonia is the most widely used source of nitrogen for plant growth. Therefore, it is readily available in farm fields or at fertilizer plants throughout the area during application season.
"We could throw our hands up and say it's in the hands of law enforcement," Twomey said. "We don't feel that way."
Neither does Hyde.
"If we can keep one person off of meth, this will be worth it as far as I'm concerned," he said.
