ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has unveiled a new Web site with information about offenders convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine — a dangerous and highly addictive illegal drug.

In July 2006, Gov. Tim Pawlenty ordered creation of the Web site to help provide information to the public about the threat of meth in communities throughout Minnesota. Users of the Web site can search for people convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine or possessing substances with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Users can search by county or last name.

The information provided, which includes name, date of birth, meth manufacturing convictions, and sentencing information, comes from the state’s computerized criminal history system.

“Over the past several years, we’ve been implementing a comprehensive, long-term solution for combating methamphetamine in Minnesota. The meth offender Web site is another piece of that plan,” said Tim O’Malley, superintendent of the BCA.

A big part of the overall strategy was a 2005 law that requires stores to keep products containing pseudoephedrine behind pharmacy counters, O’Malley said. Pseudoephedrine is the main ingredient in meth and restricting access to these products has significantly reduced the number of meth labs in Minnesota. There was a 70 percent decline in reported meth labs between 2004 and 2006. A total of 212 were reported in 2004, and 64 in 2006. 

“We know that all methamphetamine labs are dangerous. They put children, neighbors, innocent citizens, firefighters, police officers and other first responders at great risk. They pollute our environment with toxic waste,” O’Malley said. “It’s important that the public be aware of people in their communities who are a threat to public safety.”

In the future, additional information about meth dealers and other offenders may become available on the Minnesota Methamphetamine Offender (MOR) Registry Web site, depending on enhancements to the criminal history database. The site currently includes a link to search the public criminal history files for additional information.

The Web site was made available in early January. Visit the Web site at https://mor.state.mn.us [2].