HOMES AREN'T SAFE FROM METH MAKERS

Some methamphetamine makers will go to any extent to carry out their illicit trade, including breaking into the homes of others to set up temporary labs and manufacture the highly toxic chemical cocktail.

The practice is being carried out with more regularity in Missouri, a state hard hit long ago by meth trafficking because of its rural nature, the ready availability of chemicals needed to make the drug, and its centralized location.

Meth manufacturers can go unnoticed in isolated areas.

And sparsely populated southern Missouri particularly lends itself to the meth-making trade.

A meth maker who finds an unoccupied building in an area far from traffic and the general population finds himself a ready-made meth lab. All the better if the place has a kitchen with a stove.

That was the case weekend before last at a house near the Black River not far from Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Alerted by a farmer who saw two unfamiliar vehicles parked outside the house, Butler County authorities swarmed the place and arrested a Wappapello, Mo., man inside with all the materials and equipment necessary to make methamphetamine.

The 40-year-old man who was arrested said he had been camping along the river.

The house was only about 80 yards from the river, and was unoccupied when a rear window was forced open to gain entry.

The suspect faces an assortment of charges including attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, burglary and trespassing.

At the time of his arrest, he was out on bond awaiting trial in nearby Wayne County for manufacturing meth.

Had it not been for the farmer noticing the vehicles parked outside, authorities wouldn't have known what was taking place inside the house.

Fortunately for the owner, the suspect was arrested before any major damage was done. At best, meth-making can leave a huge mess. At worst, it can blow a house up.

It looks as if owners of homes in sparsely populated areas are going to have to start taking some extra security precautions against break-ins now that they have more to worry about than common burglars.

And vigilant neighbors are a big help too.