CLEVELAND — An old drug is making a new and sometimes deadly comeback.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has launched Operation Crystal Shield to combat methamphetamine. The DEA is targeting the drug in eight cities across the country where meth is trafficked in bulk and then distributed across the country. While, Cleveland is not on the list of cities there has been a steady increase in the drug.
“Crystal meth is definitely one of the drugs we’re seeing an increase in,” said Carole Negus, Director of Nursing at Stella Maris.
According to the DEA, between 2017 and 2018 there was a 37% increase in meth seizures across the country.
Seizures of the drug is up in Ohio as well.
“In one day in 2018, we seized almost an eighth of a ton of meth here in the state of Ohio in two different DEA operations,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge, Keith Martin.
One of those seizures was in Boston Heights.
The drug is no longer being cooked in meth labs in backyards, houses or cars.
"What we have seen is an increase in meth coming into the US from Mexico and the southwest border,” said Martin.
