THOMASVILLE — A battle that began a couple of weeks ago to combat the new meth is picking up speed.

Another arrest involving the shake-and-bake method of cooking methamphetamine has taken place, this time at a Ga. 202 residence.

Acting on a tip, Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division officers went to a house at 5756 Ga. 202, where the resident and others were said to be using methamphetamine.

A search of the house and the vehicle belonging to the resident, Brooke Cardin, 34, produced the drug and a loaded firearm.

“We found two plastic wraps containing methamphetamine hidden in a wallet in her purse in the car,” said Kevin Lee, narcotics/vice commander. Digital scales also were found in the vehicle.

In a car door panel, narcotics agents found a loaded Walther .22-caliber pistol. Cardin, who works in Tallahassee, Fla., told officers she uses the firearm for protection.

The suspect is charged with methamphetamine possession with intent to distribute and possession a firearm during the commission of a crime.

“We seized her white Nissan Maxima,” Lee said.

The methamphetamine in Cardin’s possession was made with ammonia nitrate taken from cold compresses.

“It’s making it more convenient for them to manufacture it,” Lee said, in reference to ammonia nitrate and the method known as shake-and-bake.

Anhydrous ammonia and ephedrine used to be methamphetamine ingredients before the Georgia Legislature passed laws to limit the amount of the substances one can possess legally. New laws also monitor the purchasing process of the substances.

Lee said a violent chemical reaction is possible using ammonia nitrate.

“Others have had explosions because of it,” Lee said, adding that an explosion occurred recently in Leon County, Fla. Two Thomas County residents were charged in the case, he said.

“We’re having to combat methamphetamine again,” the commander explained. “The process has been streamlined, the products are easier to come by, and more people are cooking it.”



Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.