FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WHO: MOBILE COUNTY SHERIFF SAM COCHRAN, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY DEBORAH TILLMAN AND WALGREENS PHARMACIST KABRINA HUDSON
WHAT: Announcement of anti-smurfing public education campaign designed to raise awareness of the laws affecting the illegal use and production of methamphetamines in our communities.
WHERE: Walgreen’s Pharmacy, 3948 airport Blvd., Mobile, Alabama 36608
WHEN: Wednesday, December 12, 2012, at 10:00 AM
On Wednesday, December 12, 2012, Mobile County Sheriff Sam Cochran, Assistant District Attorney Deborah Tillman and Walgreens will announce a new anti-smurfing public education campaign for Mobile County designed to assist law enforcement crack down on the use and production of meth in Mobile County, as well as reduce sales of precursor ingredients to individuals who purchase them with the explicit purpose of manufacturing illegal substances.
The event is part of a larger statewide effort to raise awareness about the anti-smurfing initiative announced by Attorney General Luther Strange in October.
For More Information visit Meth-KnowTheConsequences.org
COMPONENTS OF THE CHANGES MADE TO THE STATE’S LAWS ADDRESSING PSE AND METHAMPHETAMINES INCLUDE;
- PSE LIMITED TO PHARMACY SALES ONLY
PSE must be kept behind the counter and can only be sold by a licensed pharmacist, or a technician directly under the pharmacist’s supervision. It will be a crime for a general retail entity to sell these products.
REDUCED MONTHLY ALLOWABLE PSE SALES
Alabama now only allows a monthly allowable purchase amount of 7.5 grams, down from 9.0 grams, and lower than the federal limit.
OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED TO PURCHASE PSE
The new law replaced the broad “photo-government ID” requirement with a more precise definition.
Under the new law, only a valid, non-suspended driver’s license, non-driver ID, valid Military ID, or valid passport will be acceptable forms of ID for anyone looking to purchase PSE products.
METH SMURFING NOW A FELONY IN ALABAMA
The crime of smurfing is now considered a felony under the new law. This is something my office will continue to prosecute to the full extent of the law.
RESITUTION OF EXPENSENSE OCCURRED IN PROSECUTION OF METH LABS
New statutes allow law enforcement and innocent landowners to recoup cost of investigations, prosecution and clean up efforts from offenders.
DRUG OFFENDER DATABASE CREATED
Any person convicted of certain enumerated drug offenses, whether they have a prescription or not, would be blocked for any purchase of PSE in Alabama for up to 7 to 10 years.
MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS REQUIRED TO POSSESS PRESCRIPTION FOR ALABAMA SALES
The new law requires anyone traveling to Alabama with a Mississippi or Oregon ID to have a valid prescription in order to purchase PSE products at any Alabama Pharmacy.
CRIME OF POSSESSING PARAPHERNALIA
The new law enhances the crime of possessing paraphernalia with intent to manufacture meth even if PSE is absent.