In an attempt to thwart methamphetamine production, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will launch a new system to electronically connect pharmacies’ online ephedrine logs, according to a Georgia Bureau of Investigation official.

As a result of a 2005 law, pharmacies are already required to record ephedrine sales in paper logs, but the new online system will allow law enforcement agencies to monitor the sales more closely.

“When they made the 2005 law, we originally saw meth labs disappear, but now manufacturers have learned how to smurf,” GBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Tolbert said. ”For the last year and a half, we have responded to three or four labs a week.”

“Smurfing,” the practice of purchasing ephedrine at multiple pharmacies, is among investigators’ main concern when discussing the meth problem.

“They’ll go from pharmacy to pharmacy within a 50-mile radius and buy two packs at each,” Tolbert said. “They go through all of this for personal usage.”

To try to cut back on “smurfing” in Carroll County, Sheriff’s Office Capt. Shane Taylor said a team of officers set aside entire days to patrol pharmacies.

“They sit at different pharmacies and describe vehicles in the parking lot to another officer somewhere else,” Taylor said. “If the vehicle descriptions match up at multiple pharmacies, we will check into it.”

Though deputies have made arrests using this technique, Taylor said the new system will allow officers the time to focus on other areas of the issue.

“To get the logs, we have to go to each pharmacy. Then someone has to go through hundreds of pages of names from different locations and they try to remember the names to see if they are repeated,” Taylor said. “It has not been as big of a deterrent as I think this will be.”

Though the system will make monitoring ephedrine sales easier, officers will still have to go though some paper logs since the electronic program is not required by law.

“It’s a system that will mirror what Tennessee has now. Their system is very effective,” Tolbert said. “The only difference between Georgia and Tennessee is their system is mandatory and ours will be voluntary.”

Discussion about the electronic system was introduced in the Georgia Legislature, but due to opposition the bill was pushed aside, according to state Rep. Mark Butler, R-Carrollton.

“The problem with implementing it is that some stores don’t have a computer system on hand and that’s going to cost some money,” Butler said. “Even with a Web-based program, an employee has to maintain it. I think the idea holds merit but we need to find a balance where it won’t put too much of a burden on small businesses.”

Another concern with the system is the control it would give to law enforcement agencies, according to Tolbert.

“People think it’s a Big Brother-type thing,” Tolbert said. “But if you are not buying tons of ephedrine, we won’t care.”

Butler said he doesn’t feel the enhanced regulation would affect him personally.

“On this subject, I don’t have any problem with it,” Butler said. “If the cops know I buy one pack every three months, I’m not worried about it.”

Some pharmaceutical companies are also in opposition to legally enforcing the program, since it could decrease their ephedrine sales, according to a pharmacist who asked not be named due to store policy.

“I would support it but a lot of resistance will come from manufacturers,” the pharmacist said. “I would make it prescription only. Right now we’re trying to monitor it and it makes us crazy. It would make it a lot less complicated.”

The pharmacist cited multiple incidents in which groups of people have arrived at the pharmacy together to individually purchase the legal amount.

“It’s just really aggravating because then I try to call around to other pharmacies to see if they have exceeded their limit,” the pharmacist said.

Taylor also mentioned a number of arrests in which entire carloads of Alabama residents were caught after driving to Carroll County to purchase ephedrine.

“I’m hoping it will give us immediate feedback,” Taylor said. “It will help us pinpoint people before they actually produce the meth.”

Tolbert said the GBI plans to launch the new system in a month or two.