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It's definitely going to take a team effort to put secret meth labs out of business. That's because the popularity of meth-amphetamine is on the rise. Police have already cracked over 100 illegal lab cases this year.

Henry Knauff was living next door to a meth lab. "I was shocked!" he said.

He shares a 'not-so-surprising' reaction, after finding out he was once a neighbor to a busted meth lab located on Charleston's west side.

We're not used to meth labs up here. It's kinda like our private own little sanctuary up here," said Knauff.

What was once private is now in the public's eye. Police say that's not enough in sending these illegal labs out of business.

The dangers of meth labs spreading in our area is becoming a serious problem. Police say they're serious enough to start taking a team effort across the state to stop them.

"We're researching and trying to find more assets and resources that we can bring to WV, to help make the quality of life for the citizens in WV better." said Agent Jeff Wallenstrom with the Drug Enforcement Administration.

US Attorney, Kasey Warner said, "Only when we work jointly, share our intelligence, share our resources, share our personnel, we'll be successful in this or any drug effort."

In that case police and the state are 'teaming' up to lay down the law in sending meth lab owners a word of warning.

"Upon the recommendation of a county prosecutor or any law enforcement officer, I won't hesitate one moment to make a federal case out of a methamphetamine case," siad Warner.

According to the United States Federal Court System, a person caught with 500 grams of illegal drugs, which equals about one pound, will be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years to life.

Police have not found any direct connections between meth labs across the state so far. However, police say that doesn't necessarily mean meth users are not aware of each other's illegal activity.

  • Drug Facts
  • Heroin effects many parts of the human body, including blood vessels that lead to the lungs, liver, kidneys and brain.
  • Methadone mimics many of the effects of opiates such as heroin.
  • Research in humans suggests that chronic ecstasy use can lead to changes in brain function, affecting cognitive tasks and memory. Ecstasy can also lead to symptoms of depression several days after its use.
  • Since about 1990, GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) has been abused in the U.S. for its euphoric, sedative, and anabolic (body building) effects. It is a central nervous system depressant that was widely available over-the-counter in health food stores during the 1980s and until 1992.
  • The short-term physiological effects of cocaine include constricted blood vessels; dilated pupils; and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.