Associated Press - October 15, 2009 6:15 PM ET
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Eighteen arrests have been made in a state and local bust of an alleged methamphetamine manufacturing operation in South Texas.
The arrests in Gonzales County climaxed a 1 1/2-year investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office and the Gonzales Police Department.
A DPS statement issued Thursday says investigators believe the suspects used family members and others to make numerous purchases of the decongestant pseudoephedrine from pharmacies. They also allegedly bought anhydrous ammonia and other chemicals used to make the drug.
The DPS says the purchases were made from pharmacies in Gonzales, Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Georgetown, among other South Texas cities.
The DPS estimates about 17 pounds of methamphetamine were made over the 18 months between November 2007 and May 2009.
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