A National Institute on Drug Abuse report refers to methamphetamine as a “potent and highly addictive psychostimulant.” A recent meth bust in Warren County might illustrate that statement.

Deputies patrolling in the Wright City area on Feb. 4 noticed a plume of black smoke rising skyward that led them to Rodeo Drive. While there, they noticed a chemical odor.

Valerie J. Murphy

Sheriff Kevin Harrison said detectives Scott Schoenfeld and Jeff Doerr found a burn pile in the yard of Valerie J. Murphy, 33, of the 11400 block of Rodeo Drive. Next to the burn pile were items police commonly associate with making or using meth — Coleman fuel cans, pieces of aluminum foil, and, most telling, a modified air tank with a discolored valve assembly. The tank smelled of anhydrous ammonia.

Harrison said the discolored valve meant the tank was holding something it wasn’t intended to hold.

The detectives got a search warrant and found 25 weapons — one of which was suspected to have been stolen — several grams of methamphetamines, pseudoephedrine tablets, lithium batteries, ether, salt, anhydrous ammonia and other equipment used in making meth.

Here’s where it gets a little odd. Murphy was on a furlough from the Warren County Jail waiting to go to prison for, you guessed it, making and possessing methamphetamine and other drugs.

She had pleaded guilty in November 2006 of possession of a controlled substance. She was on probation for that crime when she was charged in July with one count of possession of cocaine and one count each of attempting to make meth and possession of meth with intent to deliver. Prosecutor Mike Wright said those two counts fall under the same statute.

Based on what deputies found at her home last week, Murphy now also faces new counts of drug possession and manufacturing as well as resisting arrest and two counts of child endangerment, all felonies.

Wright said two children, ages 6 and 10, were living at the home.

The court has ended Murphy’s furlough. She is in the Warren County jail without bond, waiting for a space in the Missouri Department of Corrections.