|
What is a Clandestine Laboratory?
Methamphetamine can be easily manufactured in clandestine laboratories (meth labs) using ingredients purchased in local stores. Over-the-counter cold
medicines containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine and other materials are cooked in meth labs to make methamphetamine. Manufacturing methamphetamine or cooking a batch releases toxic materials into the air as well
as produces toxic waste after the drug is made. This situation can be very costly and dangerous for local authorities to deal with. As well as creating potential toxic waste dumps, meth labs have been known to be
booby-trapped and lab operators are often well armed. Meth labs can be portable; they are easily dismantled, stored, or moved. This portability helps methamphetamine manufacturers avoid law enforcement authorities.
Meth labs have been found in many different types of locations including apartments, hotel rooms, rented storage spaces, and trucks. The DEA and State and local law enforcement authorities seized 879 methamphetamine
laboratories in 1996; this figure rose to 1,435 in 1997.
What are indicators of a clandestine methamphetamine laboratory?
- Strong smell that might resemble urine, or unusual chemical smell like ether, ammonia, or acetone.
- Little or no traffic during the day, but lots of traffic at extremely late hours.
- Extra efforts made to cover windows or reinforce doors.
- Residents never putting their trash out or burning all trash.
- Lab materials surrounding property (lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, clear glass jugs and duct tape).
- Vehicles loaded with trunks, chemical containers, or basic chemistry paraphernalia - glassware, rubber tubing, etc.
- Laboratory glassware being carried into residence.
- Inhabitants smoking outside due to the fumes.
- Dying grass or plants in a particular area.
Information Obtained at:
Clandestine Laboratory Investigators Association and
The Office of National Drug Control Policy
Back
|
|
