Missouri #1 in Meth…Again

Final 2012 numbers from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration showed Missouri with more meth lab busts than any other state again.Since 2004, Missouri has led the nation in busts all but two years – 2010 and 2011. In 2012, the DEA recorded 1825 meth lab busts in Missouri, beating second-ranked Tennessee by 240.According to numbers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, most cases took place near St. Louis and in the state’s southwest corner. Boone County led mid-Missouri cases with 19 busts.ABC 17 News has reported on these numbers in the past – each year, law enforcement officials say the numbers don’t necessarily show a worse methamphetamine problem in Missouri, rather that there is better and more proactive policing and investigation.