Chemical Program > Advisories to the Public > Suspicious Purchase Indicators For Sales of Anhydrous Ammonia

SUSPICIOUS PURCHASE INDICATORS FOR SALES OF 
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA

Efforts by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), numerous state/local law enforcement authorities and an industry anti-meth task force organized by the Agricultural Retailers Association and the Alliance of State-Agri Business Associations have been focused on raising the awareness of the theft of ANHYDROUS AMMONIA from retailer facilities and farms for the illicit production of methamphetamine. In response, several states have enacted laws against the theft of anhydrous ammonia.

As increasing levels of deterrents are put into effect, there may be increased attempts to purchase anhydrous ammonia directly from businesses engaged in the sale of agricultural supplies. The following is a list of key suspicious purchase information that should alert you to such a purchase – it is being provided to make you aware that anhydrous ammonia is being used to clandestinely produce methamphetamine.

* Customer cannot answer or is evasive about agricultural use questions *

* Customer insists on taking possession rather than having it delivered *

* Customer insists on using cash, money order or cashiers check *

* Customer is a stranger and unfamiliar to area or your business *

* Customer provides suspicious business or credit information *

* Customer is vague or resists providing personal information *

If a customer fits any of these criteria, wait until the person has left your business, write down an accurate description of the person(s), vehicle, license number, etc. and contact the DEA or local law enforcement authorities immediately.

Revised 5/01/03