Thursday, May 23 2013 11:28 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:28:07 GMT
Authorities said they broke up a huge drug operation in the Tennessee Valley. Twenty people were arrested Thursday morning and two more are charged in what investigators called overlapping drug ringsMore >>
Authorities said they broke up a huge drug operation in the Tennessee Valley. Twenty people were arrested Thursday morning and two more are charged in what investigators called overlapping drug rings.More >>
Thursday, May 23 2013 11:16 PM EDT2013-05-24 03:16:47 GMT
Dr. Casey Wardynski said they are positioning key leaders as they prepare to build to new schools.More >>
Dr. Casey Wardynski said they are positioning key leaders as they prepare to build to new schools.More >>
GADSDEN, AL (WBRC) -
Etowah County authorities have enlisted pharmacists as they crack down on the practice of smurfing, which is when an organized group of individuals go from one store to another to gather enough pseudoephedrine to make meth.
Etowah County's Drug Task Force Commander Rob Savage and District Attorney Jimmie Harp announced a new campaign Friday at Jerry's Pharmacy in Gadsden.
Pharmacists will take advantage of the N-Plex computer database, which keeps up with people who buy pseudoephedrine. The database can help flag people who may be smurfing.
Authorities say catching these smurfing groups will be a major step in cracking down on meth labs.
"It's destructive, it's devastating, and any tool that we've got to aid in the pharmacy industry, to aid in law enforcement, aid in prosecution, I'm all for it," Harp said.
Smurfing became a felony in Alabama in October. Harp says that Alabama is one of the first states to use that approach.
Rob Savage (L) and Jimmie Harp (center) at Jerry's Pharmacy in Gadsden. Source: WBRC video
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WAFF, a Raycom Media Station. 