New drug hits the streets in Benton County
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BENTON COUNTY, Tenn. — A new form of meth is on the streets in Benton County, and investigators said it is already causing problems. This new drug is called “Ice,” which deputies said is a stronger, purer form of meth. “It’s whiter, it looks like ice chips and it doesn’t have that dingy look like the shake-and-bake meth,” said Investigator Rickey Pafford with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said the purer and stronger version of meth has been on their streets for months. “It’s more common,” Pafford said. “We’ve been seeing everyone with it that we deal with.” They said it is because people are getting away from cooking the drug themselves and looking to pre-made narcotics from Mexico. “They don’t have to shop,” Pafford said. “They don’t have to worry about getting all the things to cook it because it’s just here and it’s ready.” Sheriff Kenny Christopher said with meth task force funding set to run out next year, he is afraid this new drug will get out of hand. “This ice is coming in — we’re seeing more of it,” Christopher said. “But we’re not going to have the funding to fight it like we should.” Christopher said there is always going to be something new on the streets and in this case something prettier and more dangerous. “I’ve even seen pink ice,” Pafford said. “But it was food coloring, all to make it more appealing to the women. The prettier, the better.” Christopher said if you suspect people of dealing “ice” or if you see the drug yourself, call the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 731-584-4632.
