ISP launches site, tracks meth users

PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - Indiana State Police launch a meth investigative tool at their fingertips.

Indiana law enforcement saw a record number of meth labs seized in 2009 and 2010 looks to be on the same track.

Police said a new website to help track meth users comes at the perfect time.

The Indiana Methamphetamine Investigative System is a one stop shop for police to battle the state's biggest drug problem, yet.

"With this tool, we are able to find the labs that are out there," ISP First Sgt. Niki Crawford said. "We're able to catch the cook and the smurfs; the smurfs who are purchasing for the cooks."

Indiana State Police launched the IMIS site August 13.

News 10 got a first hand look Friday at how pharmacies, police, and the public will work together.

Target, Wal-Mart, CVS, and Martin's Supermarket are all logging on to this retail portal.

Pharmacies upload who purchases pseudoephedrine and how much, all in real time.

Officers can then enter the secure portal on the website and identify potential meth suspects.

"We're going to be able to find the folks that are out there who are doing this that may have been able to hind under the radar screen before," First Sgt. Crawford said.

The public may have one the biggest roles in this website. There's a page where you can report a tip about meth activity going on near you.The more information you give the better, but police said only the location of the meth activity is required.

With all this information at their fingertips, police are getting information quicker than ever before.

In just one hour, First Sgt. Crawford found a meth or smurf group who purchased 1,300 grams of pseudoephedrine in the last year.

With out this website, First Sgt. Crawford said it takes much longer.

"It would have taken months with all the information and all the people involved and making those connections, or it may never have happened," First Sgt. Crawford said.

Now, more meth arrests may just be a click away.

It's important to note, the information or tips police find on the site will be validated before pursuing a search warrant or an arrest

Twelve other states, including Michigan, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Hawai, Oregan, Washington, and Alabama are in connection with this website, as well.

The Tennessee Meth Track Force created the software and launched the online concept in 2004. Since then, more than 500,000 pseudoephedrine purchases were identified by meth offenders.