New Figures On Meth-Related Arrests

Alabama Mobile "Pill Shoppers" getting arrested.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Wed, August 19, 2009 - 9:09 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, August 19, 2009 - 9:33 pm CST

New numbers are out on the success of what's called the "Mobile County Meth Initiative."
Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran said authorities have arrested more than 100 people buying pills to make methamphetamines since the program started.
The latest came this past weekend when the sheriffs office arrested eleven people.
Cochran said the initiative combines education and enforcement.
Pharmacies and other stores keep a county-wide database of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine sales, the products used to make meth.
Cochran said, "We focus on those individuals we refer to as 'pill shoppers,' and they're shopping for these pills either to go manufacture meth themselves, or to take it to someone, or sell to someone that will manufacture the meth."
Pharmacist Cassandra Christian said the program is "extremely important. First of all, it unites pharmacies."
Christian said pharmacists aren't police officers, but "we still have a duty and we have an honor to uphold, and we cannot in good conscience dispense or sell something to someone when we know that they are using it illicitly or even suspect (that)."
Cochran said he's seen a decrease in the sales of such pills since the initiative started, but has seen an increase in "the manufacturing of fake I.D.s. We arrested someone last week that had 40 something fake I.D.s where they would try to get someone to go around to the different stores with so many different fake I.D.s to buy the product."
Christian said, "It just kills me to see how many people come in there (the pharmacy) with non-drivers I.D.s, yet, if you follow them to the parking lot, guess what they're doing: driving away."
As part of the initiative, you can text the sheriff's office to report meth use.
You put in the words "TEXTME," or the numbers 8-3-9-8-6-3.

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jlb1198 Says:

Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 9:05 am

My Uncles ex wife,was hooked on that stuff, thats the reason they divorced because he couldnt get her off of it and he didnt want his kids around it, but DHR to the rescue gave the kids to her, and while in her care they saw there moms boyfriend shoot her brother over drug money. Didnt kill him but he eventually got his they found his body a few months after that in Prichard burnt to a crisp! Drugs make u do crazy things!!!!! and it rots ur teeth out too!!

minimay87 Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 2:07 pm

The neighborhood I grew up in use to be called Whiskey Hollow way way way back. It was kind of neat to go hunting and find old looking bottles that they use to put it in and other stuff. As for tasting the stuff, wouldn’t do it. They smell alone would knock me out. As for Meth, well the stuff they put in it is some things that I can not even allow in my home due to the toddler. So definitely would not take any chances with that. Even without the little one. Besides I value my youthfulness while I have it. Do that stuff and it adds 20 plus years to you. Do not really have to worry about the height thing with coffee. Only made it to 5’1. Doubt it could do too much more damage, besides maybe making me sit in a booster seat when I drive.

carl Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 1:54 pm

Hey Minimay,they are still finding all the good things coffee does for you,If you don’t over do it too much.Meth and moonshine will kill you deader than a door nail,quick.

minimay87 Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 1:03 pm

Kind of just as mind boggling as the man that was huffing the can of aerosol. I guess that is what addiction does to you. I have a bad addiction to coffee. Did not have it until I had my daughter. Pretty bad, 22 and barely able to function without at least 2 cups.

jlb1198 Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 12:43 pm

I always wondered what was in Meth, I was buying Liquid Plumber and Drano for my bathtub that would never unclogg and this guy in line behind me said “that makes the good stuff” someone told me he was referring to meth, WTH?? Why anybody but Drano or Luiqid Plumber in there bodies!!! Does anybody know what people use?

carl Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 10:42 am

Sort of reminds you of the Moonshining business of ole and the revenuers doesn’t it?

aumarzph Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 7:06 am

i work in a pharmacy and it is appalling how much sudafed we sell to mississippi folks. they will tell you upfront they cant get it there. until troy king gets off his rear and makes it mandatory for stores to be linked this problem will not go away. if cochran thinks the sales are down he is fooling himself. i could give him a cesspool of streets or cities where they comes in batches. mobile is an area for easy smurfing
my customers think we are a joke to care and laugh in our faces.

nuong Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 6:59 am

To “Alabama Patriot” you are correct, a lot of
crimes are not reported.
I look at bookings on Mobile County Sheriff
website. For Aug 19, there was a 19 year old
arrested and booked for murder and rape.
I have not seen this on the news.

Alabama Patriot Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 6:51 am

The news media has stopped reporting *all* of the crimes that are occurring on a daily basis in Mobile, except for this major type of crime. It looks like Sam Jones has a great influence on censoring the news reported around Mobile. This information should be public, not blocked because of potential danger to the tourism industry. JMO

notardeneck Says:

Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 6:46 am

Time to set examples, take the meth cookers out to the curb and shoot them on the 10:00 news, now that will get the meth makers attention.

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