EDMOND — Many metro drug stores are having a serious problem with thefts of iodine, a naturally-occurring element that can be used to make methamphetamine, police said.
On Tuesday, Edmond police investigating a larceny at an Edmond Walgreens were told that a white male stole a 1-ounce bottle of iodine, and that Walgreens around the metro have been having a “serious problem” with iodine thefts, according to a police report.
A Walgreens employee told police she saw the person who she believes stole the iodine. Tuesday morning, the employee was working in the aisle in which iodine is kept.
The employee told police she saw a white male go to the iodine and count the number of bottles on the shelf. Police said the suspect then walked to the pharmacy and bought a Sudafed product.
While he was at the pharmacy, two of the three bottles of iodine were removed from the shelf and placed in the back of the store, leaving only one bottle on the shelf.
The employee was interrupted by some customers who needed assistance, but she saw the suspect leave the pharmacy and walk back towards the iodine. By the time she got to the aisle, she saw that the remaining bottle of iodine was gone and the suspect was leaving the store without stopping to pay for anything at the front, police said.
The employee went to the parking lot and saw the suspect get into a white, four-door car she believed was a Toyota.
Police said the suspect is a white male about 5 feet 11 inches tall, possibly in his 40s, whom the employee described as having a beard and looking “scruffy.” He was wearing a hat and a jacket and he appeared to have a “thin” build.
Police said about 20 bottles of iodine have been stolen from the Edmond Walgreens at 301 S. Santa Fe Ave. during the past several months. A store employee said she believed the person or persons stealing the iodine may be using it to make meth.
Glynda Chu, spokeswoman for the Edmond Police Department, said police are seeing an increase in thefts of iodine and Sudafed, which are both used to make meth.
“We want to put the word out to pharmacists that this is happening so they can try to keep a close watch on their supplies of these items and to please make a police report when these items are stolen,” Chu said.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, iodine tincture, or solution, is not regulated by law and is sold in retail stores, pharmacies and farm supply stores. It can also be obtained easily via the Internet from horse and farm supply sites and online pharmacies.
Iodine — called “yodo” in Spanish and “black” in slang terms — is a naturally-occurring element that is commercially available as crystals or as a tincture.
Small-scale methamphetamine producers who are unable to obtain iodine crystals occasionally produce them from iodine tincture by mixing iodine tincture with hydrogen peroxide. It is a time-consuming process that yields a very small amount of iodine crystals in relation to the amount of tincture and hydrogen peroxide used.
Iodine tincture for human antiseptic use on wounds and scrapes usually is sold in small quantities, typically in 1-ounce bottles containing 2 percent iodine. These small bottles are sold for $1 to $2. “Strong” iodine tincture — 7 percent concentration — for veterinary use is sold in various sizes from 16-ounce bottles to 50-gallon drums. A 16-ounce bottle of strong iodine is sold for $4 to $6.
The primary ingredients in iodine tincture are ethyl alcohol and water.
Local News
Police report rise in thefts of meth-related product
- Local News
-
-
$6.8B budget crosses final hurdle
House members found enough votes late Thursday afternoon to approve the state’s $6.8 billion budget for next year by a vote of 52-42. This came after an earlier vote failed by four votes in the House Thursday morning.
-
Santa Fe principal resigns
Edmond Santa Fe High School principal Earl Kirkpatrick resigned Thursday to explore possibilities in the field of ministry. His last day is June 30.
-
Hollywood dreams do come true: Edmondite develops film, music career
It’s all about being in the right place at the right time.
At least that is what Edmond resident and 1990 Edmond High School graduate Devin Derrick will tell you about his rise to fame in the music and movie businesses. -
ASK A LAWYER: Trusts provide options for difficult heirs
Q: We have a grown daughter who has a gambling problem. We want to provide for her in our will, but also want to protect her share from being wasted after we die. How can we do this?
A: Your situation is not unusual. Most of us know at least one person who has difficulty handling money for one reason or another. -
5-26 Pets
This is a list of animals that have been found and are at the Edmond Animal Shelter, at Interstate 35 and Covell in the Cross Timbers Municipal Complex. Call the shelter at 216-7615 for more information.
-
5-26 Police and Fire
Information in this column is gathered from city fire incident logs and police incident reports.
-
Make-A-Wish Oklahoma hosts Lexus raffle
Make-A-Wish Oklahoma will once again partner with Lexus of Tulsa and Eskridge Lexus of Oklahoma City to raffle off a new Lexus, raising funds to support the organization’s efforts to grant the heartfelt wishes of children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions in Oklahoma.
-
Edmond youth are encouraged to make a difference
The Edmond Youth Council programs are opportunities for students 15-18 years of age to learn about municipal government and potentially impact future city policies.
-
Hiebert graduates from Field Artillery training
Army Pfc. Cody A. Hiebert has graduated from the Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator Advanced Individual Training course at Fort Sill, Lawton.
-
Police: Comply with lake rules during holiday period
Summer vacation, hot days and a holiday weekend spell heavier traffic on Arcadia Lake, and police want to remind guests about rules and what happens if you break them.
May 23 was the last day of school for Edmond Public Schools and the long Memorial Day holiday period has come. - More Local News Headlines
-
$6.8B budget crosses final hurdle

