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Alabama Meth Labs Increase

By Associated Press

Montgomery AL – Authorities say drug makers have a new recipe for methamphetamine, and that's led to an increase in meth labs in Alabama.

Police saw a decrease in methamphetamine production in the state after a law took effect in 2005 to make it harder to purchase key ingredients for the drug.

But agents say many drug makers have switched to an easier cooking method that takes fewer ingredients. And that's led to an increase in the number of meth labs.

The Drug Enforcement Administration estimates about 135 of the new labs have been reported since October. Additional ones were found in the state that weren't reported to the federal agency.

The DEA says the number of meth labs in Alabama fell from a peak of 385 in 2004 to 127 in 2007.

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