The amount of methamphetamine seized by law enforcement in Nebraska and four nearby states has increased 3 percent this year compared to last year, the Drug Enforcement Administration said Friday.
The DEA Omaha division covers five states — Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota.
In 2017, authorities confiscated 817 pounds of meth. As of Thursday, law enforcement officials had surpassed that amount, with more than 842 pounds of the drug.
“Meth is becoming more and more accessible across the area,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Darin Thimmesch. “We’ve seen an increase in meth in the Midwest as prices continue to go down and purity levels increase.”
Officials said the drug-trafficking organizations from Mexico are the primary source of meth, while production in the United States is at its lowest level since 2000.
Authorities noted that meth, a powder-like substance, is addictive and can cause death by stroke, heart attack or overheated organs.
