METH TRAFFICKING IS BECOMING A BIG PROBLEM

Missouri is making headway in its meth fight, but most of the meth producers and traffickers who have been caught have been small operators. As a result of that success, there has been increased meth trafficking in Missouri by large cartels from South America and California who hope to meet the demand for the drug.

That fact was revealed this month at the Governor's 3rd Annual Meth Summit. More than 200 law-enforcement officials from around the state gathered in Jefferson City to hear how the state is doing in fighting the devilish problem.

Missouri passed a model law to combat meth production, and it has helped in shutting down labs and trafficking. But to bigger operators, the new law doesn't seem to make much difference.

For reasons unknown, there is a tremendous market for methamphetamine in Missouri. It could well be because of Missouri's centralized location.

If bigger operators from out of state are gaining a foothold, authorities will need to turn more of their attention to stopping the transportation of meth into Missouri. That will mean millions of extra man hour and funding for additional resources. But it could prove that Missouri is serious about the problem, and the risk could soon outweigh the reward.