Maine drug officials are confronting a startling rise in the number of methamphetamine labs across the state.
Maine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Roy McKinney says it busted 28 meth labs this year, up 12 over last year and more than six times as many as three years ago.
Officials say dismantling labs can cost more than $10,000 each. The raids are taking a toll on the agency's resources and distracting them from other work. They say it's difficult to pinpoint why the labs are on the rise.
They hope a $900,000 federal grant will help the state stem the tide. The grant, announced in October, will provide funding for two years for four new drug agents and specialized equipment.
Copyright The Associated Press
