Missouri meth lab seizures continue at steady pace

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri is apparently maintaining its dubious distinction as a hotbed for methamphetamine makers.

Through the first half of 2004, state law officers had seized 1,460 meth labs, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said Tuesday.

That's slightly behind last year's midway mark of 1,655 meth lab seizures but still roughly on pace to meet or exceed the 2003 total of 2,860, the patrol said.

Patrol spokesman Sid Conklin said methamphetamine lab seizures slowed down last October through December but had no explanation why.

Missouri has led the nation in meth lab seizures each year since 2001, when the number of seizures jumped to 2,130 -- up 150 percent from the 2000 total of 847.