Roamint the coutryside-Beware

[btolle]

I don't know if it has ever been mentioned here or not, but I have become aware of a potential problem that we all may want to watch out for.

It seems that we have a few methamphetamine maufacturers setting up shop in the woods in East Texas.

Charlotte and I enjoy riding the back roads in our Jeep and occasionally run up a road that dead ends at a house or mobile home that looks pretty rough. I immediately back up and leave the way I came as a precautionary measure.

I recently read of a raid on one meth lab where they had pretty elaborate security set up. Cameras, booby traps, dogs, etc. And lots of guns in the house. One tip off might be propane bottles, seems they use a lot of propane in that business.

Please folks, if you are wandering the back roads and run up to somebody's house or any area where you feel uncomfortable, leave the way you came and do so quietly for your own safety.

These folks are dangerous and may do something foolish. Most likely if you leave quickly and quietly they will see you for what you are, a wandering stranger. But if you approach the house they may get jumpy and you could be in real danger.

Sadly, the days when you could walk to the nearest farmhouse and get help are just about gone.

Bill Tolle

 

[Inspector507]

Bill,
It's not just in your area. It's all over. Anywhere they can set up shop and have easy access to Anhydrous Ammonia (spelling) and propane, they'll do it. They love to be tucked away where they don't get bothered much. A popular target around here for Propane is the Lowe's, Home Depot, etc where they store the tanks right out in the front. They also try to raid the farmers large tanks at night.

 

[Bird]

Yep, Bill, like Jerry said, it's pretty common out in the country. I lost count of how many meth labs they busted in the county in which I lived for 8 years, about 60 miles south of Dallas. And the Sheriff periodically had someone watching the anhydrous ammonia tanks at night at one company's lot and they caught a few trying to steal from them. And the last lab they busted before I moved back to town was on my road less than half a mile from my house.

 

[Dozernut]

Be careful around those type of human vermin. In Indiana a a 12 year old girl was walking in the woods close to home. A guy who had a meth lab in the woods, saw her and thought she would report it, so he killed her. He is now in custody.

 

[Hysyde]

Thank god we don't have that problem here.

 

[Taylortractornut]

A friend of mine that farms had his eldery father shot at when he went to check on some lights out in his sons field. Two younger guys and a girl were out there they shot into the mans truck. Later one of the farm dogs they had staked out in the field had been killed. The next time they just left the Anhydrous tank with the valve nearly opened with a trip wire around it it running up to the ball valve onthe tank. I know how illegal that was with a booby trap but after one night some folks were admitted to the hospital with anhydrous exposure. When they were admitted the nurses called the sheriff. The sherrif told my friend not to worry just take the wires off the valve and who would belive the methers. Ive been building a few vandal cages for anhydrous tanks lately. THey hit the local Fertilizer plant over in the Cherokee and Mhoontown area lately. They had found a few barrels outside that were beingmoved during the day.
As for travelling when I travel the back roads looking for different cutomers' jobsites i keep my .32 H&R in the seat and my 12 gauge also on speed dial. When I work on a huntin club or other in the woods sites i keep a gun handy to. Some friends of mine that loghave found several labs in the woods during logging jobs.

 

[johndeere2210]

I didn't think we had the problem here either until they busted a meth lab less than three miles from our house. I think it is a problem everywhere, if a person just knew where to look. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Hysyde]

</font><font color="blueclass=small">( I didn't think we had the problem here either until they busted a meth lab less than three miles from our house. I think it is a problem everywhere, if a person just knew where to look. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif )</font>

I doubt it. I don't think there are any meth labs ever found around here. The day I HAVE to carry a gun in the backwoods is the day I move

 

[ScottAR]

Just wait... It'll show up sooner or later... There's a bust every few months anywhere and everywhere... Country, suburbia, commerical buildings... Everywhere...

Last week about 30miles away, some sanitation workers tipped off the police to an address in an affluent neighborhood where they found 2lbs. (!!) of finished meth, 2lbs. of cocaine, other drugs and firearms, and $100,000 in cash. Considering pushers sell meth by the gram, it was a major bust.

I see em in the store where I work everyday... They always want the same stuff, look the part, Always looking over their shoulder... Act like squirrels... Usually have a twitch, scabs or sores...

Clear vinyl tubing.
Lye.
Lithium batteries.
Muradic acid. (!!) (sp?)
Solvents isle. (I dunno what their getting exactly)

Lye is a good example of the growing problem. Two years ago, the store sold around 75 bottles. Last year 600ish...

 

[goodoleboy]

Best thing to do is not to confront them as they are usually high.Take the advice given above and walk away quietly as they are usually paranoid to start with.
They do get "superhuman" strength tolerance while taking the drug so you will be no match for them. Ive had to fight a few in the while with the Sheriffs Dept. and most gave you your moneys worth..
I had a close friend who was a Police officer arrested for possesion of Meth no one is really immune.