The ingredients used in producing methamphetamine can be bought at local stores, and authorities are keeping their eyes open for any suspicious sales, said Sgt. Randy Kessel of the Ames Police Department.

Some Ames area stores say they have not noticed a problem or an abnormal increase in the sale of these items, but are conscious of the meth crisis and would alert police if they have suspicions.

“Any one of these ingredients themselves has a legitimate use,” said John Tinker, investigative coordinator for the Department of Public Safety and manger of the Central Iowa Drug Task Force. “You can buy them over the counter for the most part in any of the local stores.”

Though he would not reveal the sources, Tinker said police have gotten information about possible meth lab operations from area businesses.

“They have been a big help to us,” Tinker said.

But some area stores said they have not yet had to deal with the issue.

“I guess we’ve never been approached by this situation,” said Gary Linahon, manager of Fareway, 619 Burnett Ave. “But it’s kind of hard to stop a sale of something that’s open to the public.”

Tinker said this year there have been two meth labs found in Ames, a total of four found in Story County, and “at least 10” discovered in Boone County. The Central Iowa Drug Task Force works both Boone and Story Counties, he said.

Tinker and Kessel said some of the ingredients used include cold or asthma medicines, antifreeze, drain cleaner, lithium batteries, lye, ether and battery acid, as well as coffee filters and glassware.

“A lot of the elements for the drug can be bought over the counter at any stores that sell household items,” Kessel said.

A manager of Drug Town, 500 Main St., said they have not noticed high sales in the ingredients.

“Probably the thing that we get tips on is if people buy quite a quantity of the ingredients,” Kessel said.

But sometimes the meth-makers will try to spread their purchases out.

“One person could buy a large amount or they could have different persons involved gathering from different locations,” Kessel said.

Despite this, Tinker said, “most [stores] are aware of what’s going on.”

A manager at the west Ames HyVee, 3800 W. Lincoln Way, said they have been working with police but declined comment.

Ken Kise, manager of CT Farm and Country farm supply store, 1801 S. Duff Ave., said he has not noticed high sales in the items, but would inform the authorities if faced with a suspicious person trying to purchase the ingredients.

“We would try to not sell it to them, and we would probably alert the police,” he said.

Although most ingredients for meth can be purchased at general stores, Tinker said the anhydrous ammonia is not as easily accessible.

“Most of that they’re stealing from co-ops or from various tanks left in fields,” Tinker said.

He said he does not expect the meth situation to get any better in the near future.

“The way it’s going right now, I think it’s going to get worse before it gets better,” Tinker said.

Kessel said it can be hard to catch culprits in action.

“We’ve had rumors of [meth labs] operating in the city, and we’ve gone to the sites and found evidence, but they have already moved on,” Kessel said.

He said the ability of meth to be easily transported is just one of the problems in catching a lab operation.

“A lot of times they don’t do the whole process at one site,” he said.

Kessel said if anyone suspects something suspicious, local law enforcement authorities should be contacted.

“We always welcome all information that could help us out,” he said.