March 21, 2003

 

Tips To Prevent Anhydrous Ammonia Theft

In recent years, North Dakota has experienced an incredible increase in importation, distribution and illicit manufacturing of methamphetamine. Anhydrous ammonia, a common and widely used fertilizer, is used in the production of this illegal and very dangerous drug. Consequently, farm operators must take extra precautions to prevent the theft of anhydrous ammonia, advises George Maher, North Dakota State University Extension Service agriculture safety specialist.

"The process of stealing fertilizer puts the thief at risk of exposure and resulting injury. Unbelievably, the owner of the anhydrous ammonia can be held responsible to the thief for the injury suffered," says Maher. To prevent this fate, Maher offers the following tips:

• Don’t hide the nurse tank. Parking the anhydrous ammonia tank in a remote, hard to see place makes theft easier. Instead, park the tank in a wide-open area, such as the middle of a large field.
• Bleed the pressure from the nurse tank hose at the end of every day. Do so by closing the nurse tank hose valve and using the bleeder valve. Don’t forget to wear protective equipment! Use a sturdy aircraft cable with loops at each end and lock the nurse tank hose valve. If the thief has tools capable of cutting aircraft cable, he or she can most likely cut any other lock you might use.
• Do not leave a full or partially full nurse tank in a field close to any road overnight or for an extended period of time, if possible. Even a tank presumed to be empty may actually meet the thief’s needs. Empty nurse tanks should be returned to the dealer facility as soon as possible and partially full tanks quickly used and returned as well.
• Do not booby trap the nurse tank. This simply makes you liable to anyone injured while tampering with the equipment. Workers may also be injured if they are unaware of the traps.
• Talk to your local anhydrous ammonia equipment dealer about new nurse tank securing products.

Farm operators play one of the most important roles in preventing illicit methamphetamine manufacturing. Drug makers are inhibited when ammonia is too difficult to steal or unavailable. Help prevent methamphetamine production and protect your own assets by stopping anhydrous ammonia theft.

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Source: George Maher, (701) 231-8288, george.maher@ndsu.nodak.edu
Writer: Teresa Oe, (701) 231-8371, teresa.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu

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