OTTUMWA — There’s been a reduction in Iowa meth labs, and local law enforcement is determined to keep it that way.

Last week, three suspects were charged with conspiracy to manufacture less than five grams of methamphetamine and possession of a precursor with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

The arrests were made in the 300 block of East Fourth Street by police, the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office and the Southeast Iowa Inter-Agency Drug Task Force.

Arrested were Gerald Lee Williams, 43; Roger Eugene Light, 53; and Roberta Bowman, 48, all of Fairfield.

“This is the second pill gathering case we’ve worked ... since April 24,” said Ottumwa Police Lt. Tom McAndrew.

On that day, four suspects were arrested on West Fourth Street on conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.

“Some of our local businesses really work well with us and with each other,” said McAndrew.

He said he would love to give kudos to those storeowners, but thought it better not to identify them.

He said store managers can recognize suspicious patterns of pseudoephedrine purchases, knowing that the cold medicine is needed in large quantities to make meth. Just a few years ago, drug manufacturers could purchase the pills in bulk. Or they’d steal them.

But a state law now limits the amount of pills any individual can purchase at one time. And shoplifting has been curtailed because nearly every store keeps their pseudoephedrine behind the counter.

“They can’t steal them,” said McAndrew, “so they go from store to store to store.”

The detective said several “pill gatherers” ride around town in a car, stop at a pharmacy, and, one after another, go in and purchase the maximum amount of pseudoephedrine.

That’s when some store employees become suspicious and contact law enforcement, McAndrew said.

Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.