| 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
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