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Meth Check system is paying off

The good guys have a new weapon in the war on meth. Authorities say a new meth-check system is paying off.

Ten men are under arrest tonight, all of them accused of working together to purchase pseudoephedrine.

Law enforcement hopes to make more arrests like that soon thanks to a new computer program.

It was tested in Kentucky and right now is going nationwide.

"We'll certainly be able to make more arrests," said Sgt. Kenneth McKenzie of the Owensboro Police Department.

This computer program called Meth Check is the newest weapon against the war on drugs.

"For us to have another tool to help us combat that drug problem, it's a great resource," McKenzie said.

Meth Check allows officers and pharmacists across the nation to keep an eye on pseudoephedrine purchases.

It shows who purchases a product, what product they are buying and, more importantly, how much.

"The point of sale is crucial. It's going to help the pharmacist. If they can recognize and the alert is given and the person is about to go over, they will be able to deny the sale," McKenzie said.

And that's where law enforcement steps in.

With the old system it took an officer weeks to sort through the logs, but now with meth check the information will be available instantly to agencies across the nation.

"You can go on in real time and get the info. So just the time we're saving helps us a great deal," said McKenzie.

Sergeant McKenzie says Meth Check is not probable cause to arrest someone but the information officers can obtain after investigating the information obtained is. Plus, the computer program will be able to provide more accurate information.

"One guy can make a mistake, possibly miss repeated names on the list, but now using the computer, weight totals are there, names are there, locations are there. Once detectives get the information they can do the rest of the footwork and if necessary secure a warrant," he said.

And there's another benefit. A patrol officer won't have to be pulled off the street to sort through the information. The pharmacy will input the information and it will then be available nationwide.