Subject: A note sent out from the Indiana Sheriff's Association
I was at a meth training/workshop yesterday and there was a lot of great new information presented. I wanted to let you all know about one thing that I was not aware of.

Meth cooks are getting the propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane. Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia (which they now have a recipe for by the way). After they are finished with them, they return them to the store. They are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy.

Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc. According to our presenter, you should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If it is present, refuse to purchase that one.

Chief Deputy Scott Mellinger
MonroeCounty Sheriff's Office
812-349-2756

 

Another good reason why I keep my own tanks and get them refilled rather than swapping them.

Thanks for the info Gary.

 

We just bought a brand new tank at Home Depot, the cashier asked if we would like it filled since we were there I figure it would save me a trip to the local nursery where we I always go. Little did we know it was an exchange, the guy was going to give us a used tank when iwe just bought a new one, well now we had to go back inside and stand on the return line for 1/2 hr to get our money back because the jackass didn't tell us they exchage and not fill yours.

 

Big problem here in Central IN....I have my own and have them filled each time...keep 1 full at all times, when 1 runs out, hook up the full 1, place the 1 to be filled by my garage door to remind me to fill it...I take the old ones that are now out-dated to the gas co. who will dispose of them...anhydrous thefts are down around here now that we have educated applicators and farmers, but, as you now know, they are manufacturing their own...you can't miss the spell, so if any of you "spell" something coming from storage areas, abandoned buildings, anything that doesn't seem "right" to you...call your local police...may be nothing, but you just don't know today...