Kansas Bureau of Investigation: Methamphetamine remains major drug problem despite fewer clandestine labs

Robert “Bob” Stewart, executive officer of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that methamphetamine remains a primary illicit drug threat in Kansas and the Midwest, even as clandestine lab investigations in the state have declined.

Stewart testified that the bureau submitted its annual methamphetamine recommendation report to the legislature under KSA 75 7 22 and summarized key trends, lab results and enforcement concerns. He said the Mexican ‘‘super labs’’ now supply high-purity methamphetamine to the United States and that the shift to cartel-produced product, coupled with lower prices, has reduced domestic clandestine production but increased overall availability.

The KBI’s chemistry and toxicology laboratories analyzed thousands of samples in fiscal 2024. The chemistry unit performed 13,289 analyses; 4,756 (about 38%) tested positive for methamphetamine. The toxicology unit tested 1,802 blood samples; 635 (about 38%) were positive for methamphetamine. By contrast, fentanyl was detected in a smaller share of chemical submissions (1,047 or about 8%) but has risen in toxicology samples (206, or about 12%). Stewart said methamphetamine historically accounts for roughly 35–40% of KBI-positive drug tests year-to-year.

Stewart described trends law enforcement has documented: cartel-produced meth can reach purities that approach pharmaceutical levels (examples cited by federal labs included samples up to 97% pure), and traffickers have adopted techniques to transport meth in liquid solutions—dissolving methamphetamine in automotive liquids or gasoline containers—to evade detection at the border. He provided cost estimates over time: approximately $1,000 per ounce in 2014, about $500 per ounce in 2022 and roughly $360 per ounce in 2024.

Corey Nation, assistant special agent in charge at KBI, answered a committee question about typical user doses. Nation said a user dose is commonly about a quarter gram to a gram or less, meaning one ounce contains multiple doses.

When asked by Senator Corson whether the bureau had legislative asks, Stewart said current statutes are adequate at present and thanked the committee for prior funding for a fentanyl task force; he indicated KBI may request different resources if trends change next year. Stewart warned committee members that tighter border enforcement could reduce cartel supply but may create economic pressure that encourages a resurgence of local clandestine labs.

The presentation concluded with committee questions and no formal request for immediate legislation; Stewart said he would stand for questions and defer technical answers to Nation where necessary.

The committee heard the report as informational; no committee action was taken on the KBI report during the hearing.