First Arrest In The Nation For Violating The Combat Methamphetamine Act
Over 29 grams of ephedrine purchased within a month

MAR 30 -- (New York)  John P. Gilbride, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Attorney Terry Flynn, Western District of New York announced the arrest of William FOUSSE for violating the Combat Methamphetamine Act by purchasing over 9 grams of pseudoephedrine in a month’s time.

SAC Gilbride stated, “This is a first for DEA.  DEA's focus is to dismantle clandestine methamphetamine labs and trafficking organizations and to also monitor the products that are illegally used to produce methamphetamine.  DEA is commited to keeping our communites safe from the dangers of methamphetamine production and abuse.  Today’s arrest is a warning to those who violate the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act.”

The Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA) of 2005 was signed into law on March 9, 2006 to regulate, among other things, retail over-the-counter sales of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine products which are common ingredients found in cough, cold, and allergy products.  Retail provisions of the CMEA include daily sales limits and 30-day purchase limits, placement of product out of direct customer access, sales logbooks, customer ID verification, employee training and self-certification of regulated sellers.  The CMEA was passed because those drugs are precursor chemicals used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine or amphetamine.

In order to purchase products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine an individual must show identification and sign a log book at pharmacies.  DEA along with state and local law enforcement  are responsible for monitoring these log books in order to identify if any one person is purchasing more than 9 grams within a month’s time.

This investigation revealed that William FOUSSE had purchased 406 Bronkaid caplets which contain 25 mg of ephedrine sulfate per tablet over a two week period, which resulted in purchasing over 29 grams of ephedrine.  Further investigation revealed that FOUSSE had also purchased similar products over the same time period from three other pharmacies.  The combined amount of ephedrine purchased was over 29 grams which is three times over what is allowed by law.

SAC Gilbride commends the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and the US Attorney’s Office Western District of New York.