Cops tout new method for tracking meth

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - State Police are stepping up the fight against meth labs across the state. It's part of a project they've been working on for more than a year.

Last month, I-Team 8 exposed a problem with the law , which limits the amount of pseudoephedrine you can purchase. The investigation revealed meth cooks found a way to skirt the law. But authorities discovered a way to crack down.

State Police have been experimenting with an electronic database to track the sale of pseudoephedrine, which is a primary ingredient in methamphetamine. But they've had to use another state's server. Now, Indiana will be able to set up its own database thanks to a grant State Police received this month.

Under state law, a single person can only buy 24 pills containing pseudoephedrine every week. Right now, there isn't a computerized system to track who buys the pills. Police have to manually compare pharmacy logs to look for matches. That means if a pill buyer goes to another town, there's a lesser chance of getting caught. Authorities say going electronic will change that.

"This system is built to create an environment where law enforcement can be much more efficient," said ISP 1st Sgt. Niki Crawford. "It's probably not going to reduce our meth labs."

In fact, police said the number of meth lab seizures will probably go up. This year alone, lab arrests are up 25 percent over last year and that's without a complete electronic database. Currently, only a few major retailers, like Target and Walmart, are helping with the testing phase.

State Police said they need to get the smaller Mom and Pop stores to go electronic so they can launch the permanent system.

In addition to logging every pseudoephedrine purchase, the database will also track meth lab tips and DEA information. Investigators said it'll easily allow them to cross reference suspicious buys with previous arrests. They'll also be able to quickly connect people known as "smurfs."

"Smurfing is when a group of individuals go from store to store buying the maximum amount at each store. Their combined purchase violates the law, but the single purchase does not," said Sgt. Crawford.

Police said the goal of tying everything together is to bust more meth cooks and make the community a safer place.

State Police expect all Indiana pharmacies to be submitting pseudoephedrine sales information electronically within six months.

The database will only log suspicious purchases, so if you buy a box of pseudoephedrine to cure your cold, authorities will not be able to search you're information.