Ark. C-Stores Join "Meth Aware"
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Four local stores have stopped selling medications that can be used in making methamphetamines after North Little Rock police began a "Meth Aware" program this spring.
The program, to reduce the number of methamphetamines labs that produce the artificial stimulant known as "meth," monitors stores that sell ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, Sgt. Jim Scott said in a news release.
Police are looking for stores that sell more than the legal limit of these medications or sell the drugs to minors.
Metro Food Mart/Phillips 66 sold more than the legal limit of pseudoephedrine on different occasions since July 10, 1998, and a store employee was arrested, Scott said. The store can no longer sell the product as a result of civil action against it.
Citgo Pony Gas Station also sold over the limit of pseudoephedrine on at least two occasions, and police have secured arrest warrants in that investigation, Scott said. The store has been ordered not to sell the products, pending the outcome of a court hearing.
Police determined that Tobacco Superstores at two locations were selling to customers younger than 18, but store managers apparently were unaware of the restriction and have agreed to stop selling pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products. Scott said this was the biggest crackdown ever against businesses that sell ephedrine or pseudoephedrine in Arkansas. The program began in April. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration helped in the investigations.
The program, to reduce the number of methamphetamines labs that produce the artificial stimulant known as "meth," monitors stores that sell ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, Sgt. Jim Scott said in a news release.
Police are looking for stores that sell more than the legal limit of these medications or sell the drugs to minors.
Metro Food Mart/Phillips 66 sold more than the legal limit of pseudoephedrine on different occasions since July 10, 1998, and a store employee was arrested, Scott said. The store can no longer sell the product as a result of civil action against it.
Citgo Pony Gas Station also sold over the limit of pseudoephedrine on at least two occasions, and police have secured arrest warrants in that investigation, Scott said. The store has been ordered not to sell the products, pending the outcome of a court hearing.
Police determined that Tobacco Superstores at two locations were selling to customers younger than 18, but store managers apparently were unaware of the restriction and have agreed to stop selling pseudoephedrine and ephedrine products. Scott said this was the biggest crackdown ever against businesses that sell ephedrine or pseudoephedrine in Arkansas. The program began in April. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration helped in the investigations.