“Shake and Bake” Meth Production Driving Increase In Lab Seizures

A method of producing methamphetamine is gaining popularity in Tennessee.

The so-called “shake and bake” technique requires less psuedoephedrine, a cold medicine ingredient the state clamped down on a few years ago. Officials say the “shake and bake” method is leading to a substantial increase in meth lab seizures.

Meth busts are up roughly 50 percent from a year ago. Meth Task Force Director Tommy Farmer says much of that stems from “shake andbake,” which lets producers create small amounts of the drug in plastic containers, like old soda bottles.

Farmer says the method has been around for years, but is seeing greater use lately because it’s more mobile, as producers try to evade law enforcement.

“They’ve been driven underground – further underground – and they’re trying to avoid detection. And this is another method at supplying the habit, supplying the demand, and avoiding capture.”

Farmer says local producers are also seeing greater demand, as supplies from Mexico fall through, due to more stringent regulation there of psuedoephredine.