For Release: April 12, 2007
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Attorneys General Hold Richmond Conference on Combating Methamphetamine
Virginia Attorney General McDonnell Hosts Leaders from 6 States
Richmond - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell welcomed Attorneys General from six states to Richmond today for a national level conference focused on combating methamphetamine trafficking in the United States. The event was sponsored by the National Association of Attorneys General. Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker is the Chair of the Association. North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper is the Chair of the Southern Region of the Association.
Attorneys General in attendance today were Bob McDonnell, Attorney General of Virginia; Thurbert Baker, Attorney General of Georgia; Douglas Gansler, Attorney General of Maryland; Bill McCollum, Attorney General of Florida; Jim Hood, Attorney General of Mississippi; Robert Cooper, Jr., Attorney General of Tennessee; and Greg Stumbo, Attorney General of Kentucky.
Speaking about the conference Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell noted, “We are encouraged by the progress of law enforcement in the effort to detect clandestine methamphetamine laboratories and data reflecting a decline in locally produced methamphetamine. However, we realize that in any effort to confront the dangers of methamphetamine, a comprehensive approach must be taken. We welcome this opportunity to discuss developing trends and how to best coordinate our resources in confronting methamphetamine manufacture and distribution. I appreciate North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper and his staff initiating this important process.”
Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker remarked, “Methamphetamine is a scourge on the citizens of our region. Tough laws are in place at both the national and state level to combat this problem, but that is just the first step. This conference will work to lay the groundwork on how we can best employ local, state and federal law enforcement efforts to end this plague on our communities."
“We’ve pushed through tougher laws to cut down on dangerous labs where criminals cook meth in our communities,” added North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper (who was unable to attend), “Now we’re working together to fight the criminals who are bringing drugs and violence into our states.”
In recent years, states have experienced increased success in reducing the number of domestic methamphetamine labs. This has led to an increased utilization of interstate trafficking by methamphetamine dealers as they are forced to move their product over larger distances.
In Virginia alone the number of methamphetamine labs discovered and destroyed rose from 1 in 1996 to 5 in 2001 to a peak of 80 in 2005 before a dramatic reduction during 2006 and 2007. It is apparent that the increased focus of law enforcement on this issue, coupled with increased safeguards put in place to prevent the purchase of large amounts of meth-cooking ingredients, along with revisions to criminal sentencing, are together achieving a reduction in locally produced methamphetamine.
Methamphetamine is listed as a Schedule II narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act, Title II, of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970. The manufacture, sale, distribution, or possession with intent to manufacture, sell, or distribute a Schedule I or II drug is a felony punishable by imprisonment of 5 to 40 years. A second or subsequent conviction is punishable by imprisonment of five years to life. Also, a person who manufactures up to 200 grams of any substance containing methamphetamine is subject to imprisonment of 10 to 40 years for the first offense and 10 years to life for a second or subsequent offense.
Selling, manufacturing, distributing or possessing with intent to distribute 10 grams or more of methamphetamine or 20 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture is subject to imprisonment of 5 years to life and a 5-year mandatory minimum term. Selling, manufacturing, distributing or possessing with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of methamphetamine or 200 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine is a felony carrying a term of 20 years to life.
Despite the tough punishments in place, and the success in reducing the domestic production of methamphetamine, the market for this deadly drug still exists, and dealers are constantly looking for new ways to bring methamphetamine into Virginia communities.
Among the individuals scheduled to address today’s event were Sherry Green, Executive Director of the National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws; Steven Whipple, Group Supervisor of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Atlanta Field Division; Scott M. Burns, Deputy Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy; and Joseph T. Rannazzisi, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Diversion Control U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
