Tippecanoe among state's top meth lab counties

Twenty-five labs were dismantled locally through August, which means Tippecanoe ranks 12th of 92 counties, according to Indiana State Police data released Thursday.

The number of labs busted in a community provides a rough indicator of how much meth production is taking place, but the stats are also influenced by how proactively police agencies enforce drug laws, said 1st Sgt. Niki Crawford, commander of ISP's Meth Suppression Section.

When communities are informed about meth production and engaged with local authorities, they provide an added boost to enforcement efforts, Crawford said.

Lafayette police Lt. Tim Payne, who recently took the reins as Tippecanoe County Drug Task Force commander, said local residents regularly use the We-Tip Hotline to provide information regarding meth labs.