‘Shake and bake’ meth labs fuel surge in busts in Ohio

Associated Press

DAYTON

Meth-lab busts are increasing in Ohio after declining a few years ago.

One reason is that the addictive substance is now being made in spaces as small as a large soda bottle.

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation statistics showed just over 600 meth lab busts from October 2011 to October 2012, with 575 since then through May, according to the Dayton Daily News.

Ohio meth-lab cases fell sharply from 2005 to 2007, but have been climbing back in the state, similar to national trends.

New federal regulations helped make meth lab use more difficult. But new methods are fueling the resurgence. In one called “shake and bake,” ingredients are mixed in a 32-ounce soda bottle.

There’s also a “one pot” method, allowing spread of meth-making. In earlier days, meth labs were often in rural areas, because more space was needed and chemical smells could be noticeable.

“They can do this in a small area,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. “There’s a proliferation of them.”

He said meth-making is relatively easy to do in a small area now.