Lake Union crime wave linked to meth makers

Methamphetamine makers in search of a key ingredient may have made off with nearly a dozen 300-pound tanks of anhydrous ammonia from a fishing boat in dry dock on Lake Union early yesterday, after siphoning 2,000 more pounds of the chemical from a tank aboard the vessel.

The crime caps a recent spate of thefts of small boats on the lake, from dinghies to a 19-foot Boston Whaler.

Seattle police say they believe the thefts are related to the manufacture of methamphetamines. The thieves may be using the smaller boats to reach the ammonia supplies of larger fishing vessels.

Don Williams, an employee of Fairview Marine on Lake Union, has had it with the thefts. The Boston Whaler was taken from his workplace, and without it, he and others couldn't work, he said. Dinghies also have been stolen from the boats of customers, he said.

Some of the stolen boats have had smashed ignitions or switched engines, he said.

"We work hard, and it's just awful when we get thieved on," Williams said. "They stole our work boat we push our (customers') boats around with."

Williams and another employee actually gave chase to several men he believes stole the Boston Whaler several days ago. It was about 7 a.m., when he saw the men, who appeared to be in their early 20s. One came "flying out" from under a dock, and the other men took off in another direction.

"We caught them in the act," he said, "but they got away on foot."

The boat was nearby and easily recovered, Williams said. The other boats have been found as well, including one that police impounded, he said.

Deanna Nollette, spokeswoman for Seattle police, said an investigation of the boat thefts is under way. She said about eight have been stolen, along with the anhydrous ammonia.

"There is stuff going on on the water," Nollette said. "We are aggressively pursuing this."

Nollette said reports of methamphetamine manufacturing or arrests related to the drug don't appear to be up in the city.

Wesley Fry of Olympic Boat Centers on Lake Union said they've lost two dinghies off customers' boats.

He has heard that meth manufacturers use the small craft to try to reach the tanks of anhydrous ammonia aboard fishing and fish-processing boats on the lake. The chemical is used to chill fish aboard the boats, and state law tightly regulates its distribution.

The chemical also is used for the illegal manufacture of methamphetamines; other ingredients include cold medication and sodium or lithium metal. In rural areas, clandestine drug makers sometimes obtain the ammonia by draining it from fertilizer tanks, according to The Fertilizer Institute's Web site.

Ammonia can cause severe burns, and there are reports of methamphetamine manufacturers who have been injured trying to steal ammonia, the institute says.

Williams and Fry say their workplaces have enhanced security.

"We've been diligently trying to catch the people, but they seem to be squeezing in during the night," Williams said.

"Nothing happened last night -- the guys will take a few nights off. But as soon as they get high again, they'll be back."

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