METHAMPHETAMINE INITIATIVE
THE FIGHT AGAINST METHAMPHETAMINE
As pseudoephedrine HCL pills become more difficult to obtain in Missouri, methamphetamine distribution networks will change rapidly to meet demand. Law enforcement needs to stay ahead of these changes.
Problems and Trends:
-
Missouri
had more methamphetamine labs than any other state during 2001,
2002, 2003 and 2004.
-
Schedule
V restrictions on pseudoephedrine pill purchases have reduced methamphetamine
lab seizures in 2005 to less than half of what they were in 2004.
-
Imports
of Mexican methamphetamine will dramatically increase through vehicles
and interstate couriers, such as UPS and FedEx.
-
Illinois
is the only remaining surrounding state without Schedule V restrictions.
-
Transportation
of pseudoephedrine pills from Illinois will dramatically increase.
- Property crimes will rise sharply.
Federal Sentences:
Often defendants in methamphetamine cases receive longer sentences in federal court than state court. Defendants serve a minimum of 85 percent of federal sentences. Typical methamphetamine-related sentences are:
| Pure methamphetamine: |
5 grams 50 grams |
5
years 10 years |
| Methamphetamine mixtures: |
50
grams 500 grams |
5
years 10 years |
| Career offenders in drug cases: |
140
months
|
|
| 250 or more pseudoephedrine HCL pills: |
46
months
|
|
| Felon in possession of a firearm: |
18
months
|
|
| Armed career criminal in possession of a firearm: |
15
years
|
|
| Firearm used in furtherance of federal drug offense: |
5
years (consecutive) |
|
NOTE: Sentences based on the United States Sentencing Guidelines are stated in months; statutory mandatory minimums are stated in years. Recent Supreme Court decisions allow District Court judges to impose lower sentences under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, but not in cases involving statutory mandatory minimums.
Firearms Offenses:
-
Use
of a firearm in furtherance of a federal [methamphetamine] drug
offense
-
Felon
in possession of a firearm (includes prior felony SES convictions,
but excludes prior SIS convictions)
- Armed career criminal in possession of a firearm: Requires a combined total of three prior felony convictions for controlled substance offenses and/or crimes of violence. Includes SES, but excludes SIS
Available Training:
In addition to amending its prosecutorial guidelines, the United States Attorney's Office is providing training to law enforcement throughout the Eastern District of Missouri in order to assist law enforcement officers. Contact Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC) Coordinator Ronald Scaggs at (314) 539-2200 to schedule training on any of the following topics:
-
Mexican
Methamphetamine: Issues and Players (Drug Enforcement Administration)
-
Interdiction
and Traffic Stops (Missouri State Highway Patrol)
-
Fourth
Amendment (U.S. Attorney's Office)
-
Package
Interdiction (U.S. Postal Inspection Service)
-
Effective
Use of Cameras During Car Stops (Missouri State Highway Patrol)
-
Drug
Endangered Children (U.S. Attorney's Office)