-from eastvalleytribune.com-

By Nick Martin, Tribune

Maricopa County authorities were involved on Tuesday with an international drug bust that dismantled at least 100 meth-making labs worldwide, including 20 in Arizona. A Scottish couple is suspected of supplying chemicals to make methamphetamine to people around the world and now faces extradition to the U.S.

Brian Howes, 43, and Kerry Ann Shanks, 28, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Phoenix in September on 82 counts related to supplying the chemicals, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Phoenix.

The investigation stemmed from the couple’s Internet business,, on which various chemicals could be bought using a credit card. As of late Tuesday, the Web site was still active and offering specials on iodine crystals — a key ingredient used to convert some cold medicines to methamphetamine.

The investigation began at least two years ago in the Valley, but soon branched out to federal and international jurisdiction, said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Investigators from the county-led High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area task force, Phoenix Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and several agencies in the United Kingdom all helped complete the investigation.

Officials estimate the couple shipped at least 800 pounds of chemicals to the U.S. between August 2004 and November 2006. The amount of methamphetamine that could have been made from the chemicals would have had an estimated street value of $12.6 million.

“Due to the results of this investigation our neighborhoods are safer,” said Phoenix Police Chief Harris in the release.

The couple could receive 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.