Anhydrous Ammonia

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Anhydrous Ammonia

• Stopping Theft

Original Power Point Created by Brandon
Ritter Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education
Curriculum Office June 2002
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• If what they were up to wasn't so dangerous, as
  well as illegal, the antics of the miscreants
  skulking around farms and agricultural supply
  stores in search of anhydrous ammonia would be
  comical.
• Witness the pair of goons captured on a
  surveillance camera as they went round and round
  in circles -- probably because they were high as
  a kite on drugs -- trying to figure out the
  easiest way to siphon ammonia from a 1,000-gallon
  tank. These characters made Laurel and Hardy look
  sophisticated.

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• NOT a laughing matter in agricultural circles
• Chemical companies, feed stores and farmers are
  desperate to safeguard their supplies of
  anhydrous ammonia, or NH3
• Stolen to assist making meth
• NH3 is a highly valuable fertilizer

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What is Meth?

• Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerful central
  nervous system stimulant with ahigh potential for
  abuse and dependence. It is illegally produced
  and sold in pill form, capsules, powder and
  chunks. One simple recipe for making meth,
  already available on the Internet, requires
  several commonly available precursors, including
  anhydrous ammonia. The drug can be made in a
  makeshift "lab" that can fit into a suitcase.
  Very small amounts of ammonia are needed.

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• Legislatures in several Midwestern states have
  passed laws upgrading the theft of anhydrous
  ammonia to a felony.

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Stopping-would be thieves

• Steps to assist in stopping Anhydrous thieves
• Taken from Illinois Farmweek Publication

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• Have nurse tanks delivered to fields as close to
  application time as possible
• Most thefts occur at night in fields
• Place tanks in open areas where they are visible
  from the road
• Avoid putting them in remote areas. This helps
  law enforcement officials police them more closely

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• Check the condition of tanks when delivered for
  possible tampering
• Inspect them often for tampering
• Return tanks immediately after use
• Remember proper storage of anhydrous ammonia is
  important for the safety of you and your family
• DO NOT confront thieves. Contact law
  enforcement agencies immediately

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Other Options from the SEATTLE
POST-INTELLIGENCER

• Blocking driveways to tank access
• Fencing,
• Lighting and
• Surveillance cameras.

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Signs of Theft

• Notice if the ground has been disturbed around
  tanks. Watch for fresh tracks in mud or snow.
  Notice if valves are not closed tightly.
  Sometimes a valve works loose, but sometimes it
  is a sign of tampering.
• Look for suspicious items left near tanks, like
  duct tape, garden hoses, bicycle inner tubes,
  buckets or coolers. Thieves will leave these
  materials behind when scared off.

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• Look for broken or missing wire ties or seals
  that you can place on valve wheels as a marker.
• Do not disturb a crime scene.
• Immediately call your local law enforcement
  officials.

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How to Respond to Suspicious Activity

• Call local law enforcement authorities DO NOT
  approach or confront suspicious individuals. If
  under the influence of meth, they can become
  dangerously violent with little warning.
• Make employees and customers aware of the theft
  problem.
• Store tanks in a well-lit or high traffic area.
  
• Store tanks with flow valves facing toward the
  drive lane to speed visual inspections.
• Do not leave tanks in fields or remote areas.

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• Inspect tanks visually first thing each morning.
  Many thefts occur over the weekend.
• Remove hoses and store them separately. There
  is enough ammonia ina standard decoupling hose to
  make meth.
• Block the driveway with a gate or barricade.
• Place brightly colored plastic ties or wire
  seals between the valve wheel and the roll cage
  to ease visual checks.

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• Know inventory. Record stored nurse tanks by
  identification number and weight of remaining
  product.
• Work with local law enforcement personnel on
  security steps and encourage frequent nighttime
  patrols.
• Be suspicious of those attempting to buy
  ammonia if they cannot state a legitimate,
  agronomic need for the product.