by Charlie De Hart, battalion chief with CAL FIRE
Methamphetamine cooks are buying propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, and emptying them of the propane gas. Then they fill the propane tanks with anhydrous ammonia, which they now have a recipe to cook Methamphetamine. After they are finished with the propane tanks, they return them to the store. The stores refill the tanks with propane gas, unknowing to them the improper substance that was inserted in the tanks and sell them to their consumers. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane gas and hooked up to a grill, recreation vehicle, and so forth.
You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If there are evidences of these substances, do not purchase the propane tank and advise the vendor of your findings.
The information was researched, and you should check out the following Web site for more details. They also have pictures for you to view.
Investigator Lori C. Piccini
Riverside County (CA) Sheriff ‘s Department
CLICK HERE for more information.
