New Recipe Feeds Growth of Okla. Meth Labs

Restrictions on precursor chemicals helped drive methamphetamine labs out of Oklahoma in the mid-2000s, but a new “one-pot” recipe for the drug has labs proliferating in the state again.

The Oklahoman reported July 11 that the new meth manufacturing process — also known as the “shake and bake” method — has been found at most of the 300-plus meth labs seized in Oklahoma this year. At the current pace, officials expect meth-lab seizures to exceed the 743 uncovered in 2009.

The simpler recipe for meth production requires a 20-ounce water bottle, psuedoephedrine, camp fuel, chemical ice packs, and a few other ingredients. The process is less toxic and dangerous than the old method, and typically is used by addicts for personal use, not commercial operations. Some are co-ops, where users trade cold medicines containing pseudoephedrine for a share in the end product.