Officials: Meth not spreading here despite recent cases
BRODHEAD — Two methamphetamine cases in counties on both sides of Rock County within a week don’t mean the highly addictive drug is moving into the area, officials say.
Law enforcement officials actually are seeing a drop in the number of cases statewide, said David Spakowicz, director of field operations for the state Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation.
“We are not seeing any statewide trend relating to the increase of methamphetamines,” he said.
On Friday, Brodhead police arrested Roy A. Van Brocklin, 32, of W446 Red Cedar Lane, Brodhead. They say a traffic stop revealed materials used to make meth. He appeared in court Tuesday on four felony meth charges and two misdemeanor drug charges.
Six days earlier, authorities in Walworth County began investigating materials at sites in Richmond and Delavan townships that they believe are associated with methamphetamine production.
The number of meth cases analyzed by the state crime lab has dropped from 726 in 2005 to 370 in 2007, according to data from the Department of Justice.
“I wouldn’t say we’re out of the woods, but we’re making good headway,” Spakowicz said.
Meth problems in the state still are focused in the northwest and southeast, he said.
The crime lab analyzed the following number of cases for this area:
n Rock County: No cases in 2005, two in 2006 and one in 2007.
n Walworth County: Three cases in 2005, three in 2006 and two in 2007.
n Green County: Two cases in 2005 and none in 2006 and none in 2007.
Van Brocklin’s arrest is the first meth case in Green County that Jeff Skatrud, chief deputy at the Green County Sheriff’s Department, could recall.
“Is it shocking? No,” he said. “I think it was a matter of time, but is it a regular occurrence? That’s a big, ‘No,’ also.”
Skatrud worked in the department’s drug unit in the 1990s until 2001, and worked on a meth investigation in the late 1990s and early 2000, when a meth lab and dump sites were discovered a few miles west of the Green-Lafayette county line near South Wayne.
The people making meth in Lafayette County bought supplies and equipment from places in Green County and beyond, he said.
A meth lab usually is used by a core group of individuals who stick close to home, Skatrud said. They do, however, branch out to buy materials because most of the medications cooked into meth, such as Sudafed, are regulated.
Skatrud and Spakowicz don’t think the recent cases mean meth is moving into the area.
“I think there was more of a threat of it spreading and becoming a regional thing in the ’90s and early 2000 than it is now,” Skatrud said. “There’s still individuals that are going to do it, obviously.”
Both men attributed the decrease to tighter laws regulating meth ingredients.
“Things have changed in the last eight years,” Skatrud said. “That made a big difference.”
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Roy Van Brocklin had about 5 grams of methamphetamine, chemicals used to make meth and a meth recipe when pulled over in Brodhead for traffic violations Friday, according to court documents.
Roy Van Brocklin, 32, of W446 Red Cedar Lane, Brodhead, made his initial appearance Monday in Green County Court.
He is charged with possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession of materials for manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of waste from manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He also was arrested on a charge of drunken driving.
Court records allege Van Brocklin had about 5 grams of meth in a plastic bag, an ephedrine or pseudoephedrine product, red phosphorus, lithium metal, sodium metal and ammonia in his truck when stopped by Brodhead police at about 3 p.m. Friday. He also had flammable liquid, corrosive acid, tubing, containers, iodine, antifreeze, aluminum foil, coffee filters and a recipe to make meth.
Van Brocklin remains jailed on a $5,000 cash bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Brodhead Police Chief Thomas Moczynski said Van Brocklin had the materials needed to set up a meth lab on “short notice.” He said there was a risk to public safety from the flammable liquids and other materials in Van Brocklin’s truck.
“It’s dangerous when anyone transports chemicals whether they are legal or illegal,” Moczynski said, “that’s why we called in federal authorities.”
The Green County Sheriff’s Office, Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation and the Stateline Area Narcotics Team assisted at the scene.
Moczynski wouldn’t say if Van Brocklin’s arrest would lead to other arrests.
“This is out of the ordinary for Brodhead,” Moczynski said. “Now that we’ve had this arrest, officers will be more vigilant.”
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:51 p.m.
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Oops, I assumed the two meth labs were in Janesville...they're in Brodhead. My mistake.
Does this mean they haven't located ANY in Janesville? If so, I hope they're still ramping up law enforcement for the day it arrives because it's going to take this town by the throat.
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:44 p.m.
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I suppose we could foolishly assume we're living in a methless paradise...or maybe those running the other meth labs are too clever to be detected. With Janesville so close to Chicago and right on the Interstate, I'd say it's a safe bet there were more than the two busted meth labs operating in Janesville.
Mar 24, 2009 at 2:50 p.m.
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Im so happy to live here in good ol' mayberry, oops I mean Janesville. Its so nice to know that we have no drug problems, and no gangs. Im so reassured when I here our officials tell me we have no problems.
Mar 24, 2009 at 1:04 p.m.
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I'm sure the meth mfg's and dealers are happy to hear that cops don't think meth is spreading here so they can produce more deadly drugs. Don't be so sure meth labs aren't in your neighboorhoods and meth in schools and on the streets.
Mar 24, 2009 at 12:27 p.m.
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Meth is NOT a big problem here. The stats showing that there are only a few cases a year prove that. I come from a town that busts people for meth several times weekly, and those are usually found in routine traffic stops! The concern should be on heroin, especially with the article about heroin in Janesville schools. I think there is only room for one major drug in an area. Focus should be placed on heroin and keeping that under control without everyone freaking out about meth with no merit.
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:43 a.m.
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Don't get me on the wagon about drinking around kids,we "ALL" have stories to tell about our families or our own kids giving & allowing this,to them,normal,or what ever childish reason they think it's K to do it! I KNOW,DO AS I SAY,NOT AS I DO. But these people don't even live by that logic anymore,they (WANT THE NEED,TO CALL THESE KIDS THEIR FRIENDS,BUT IN RETURN LOOSING THE FACT THAT YOU PEOPLE ARE "SUPPOSE" to be a parent FIRST,and always,"NOT" their DRINKING BUDDY!)
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
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they probably said the same thing about heroin use a few years ago. and im w you partarican but alcohol is a legal drug so society tends to forget that it IS a drug and probably THE NUMBER ONE GATEWAY DRUG. most def the NUMBER ONE KILLER. if a kid sees mom/dad have a 6 pack and get a buzz they KNOW there are ok reasons to take 'drugs' and without proper communication that kid may have trouble differentiating between 'safer' drugs...and the more harmful ones.
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:03 a.m.
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My opinion is BARNEY & ANDY would be able to see the problem,before these denial jerks!!!
Mar 24, 2009 at 11:02 a.m.
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By the way, if you notice that your toilet bowl chemicals are dissappearing from your cleaning business/company/place-of-work, here's your sign....
Mar 24, 2009 at 11 a.m.
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Why get meth when it's easier and more widely accepted to get alcohol? I'm a recovered meth addict (18+ years). These kinds of drugs usually become more widely available when the economy is in decline and are found in declining neighborhoods. I would be more worried about the drinking problems of adults and how that affects the children in this county than the (unidentified) meth problem.
Mar 24, 2009 at 10:59 a.m.
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Meth is a very scary and addictive drug. I personally think its worse than herion. It does things to you that only a user could explain. It's disgusting. I see people everyday who look like meth users. I'm sorry but these are one group of people that they all look the same and you can tell. Meth users have a certian 'look' about them. They don't care how they look, they are just worried abou their next high. Girls are probably one of the most vulnerable to it, it makes you not wanna eat, therefore you lose weight. If your daughter is struggling with her weight then all the sudden loses a lot of weight, I'd be asking questions. No I'm not saying all girls losing weight are meth heads. I just said I would ask questions if you believe them then thats fine. Watch for other signs too. Meth is a huge problem South of here and it keeps getting closer and closer, soon it will be here just like marijuana. I just hope the cops go after the meth heads and not the pot heads!
Mar 24, 2009 at 10:02 a.m.
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get a clue it is here and to deny it only allows it to get bigger... Take a look at the reality to the denial of heroin and other drugs here in good ole janesville and now it is out of control with at least 3 deaths in less then a year here. how many overdoses do they need and how many arrests to prove it is here and isn't going away without acknowleging it exists!!!!! Apparently there is a demand for it . why else would they be manufacturing it?. I suppose it was for personal use.Keep denying it Broadhead/Green County you will find it to be more then you can handle in the near future. Take one down and more will soon follow. IMO It is here and will stay unless you accept that fact as to the arrests on record. to minimize this is to allow it to continue!!!!! 1 arrest should be a wake call!
Mar 24, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.
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they are right, don't mean it's heading here, means it is here, gees..
Mar 24, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.
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How can you people make a statement like that? Just because YOU have only caught a few people,doesn't mean their isn't a lot more out their making & selling! YOU JUST HAVEN"T CAUGHT THEM YET!!!!! Denial,is ONE word for you! No drugs,no gangs,no under age drinking,no drive by's,if the law enforcement believe this,why do we have these ignorant people suppose-ably protecting us? when we the citizens know these things are happening. Makes you wonder how safe we are,with people,(may i say softly) in charge of our lives?
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