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Clandestine Drug Labs

Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

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Page 1: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Clandestine Drug Labs

Page 2: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Extent of Problem

$175 of raw materials1 pound of pure methamphetamine$32,000 street value

Page 3: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Clandestine Drug Labs

85% of activity is in three states:»California

»Oregon

»Texas

Page 4: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Clandestine Drug Labs

Calls to investigate “unusual odors”»Dried cat urine

»Cat litter

»Rotten garbage

Page 5: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Clandestine Drug Labs

Responses to overdosesResponses to corrosive

exposures or burns that are poorly explained

Page 6: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Clandestine Drug Labs

Windows covered with plastic, cardboard, or paint

“Chemistry lab” glassware

Page 7: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Clandestine Drug Labs

20% are detected when they explode or catch fire

The “routine” structure or vehicle fire may turn out to NOT be so routine!

Page 8: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Everything associated with an clandestine

drug lab is hazardous!

Page 9: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Hazards

Chemical»Flammables

»Corrosives

»Compressed gases

»Toxins–Cyanide

–Phosgene

Page 10: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Hazards

Physical»Unstable containers

»Confined spaces, obstacles

»Poor or absent ventilation

»Slippery footing

Page 11: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Hazards

Electrical»Exposed wiring

»Reversed switches, rheostats

Page 12: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Hazards

Biological»Attack dogs (10% of labs)

»Venomous animals

Page 13: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Hazards

Booby traps»Grenades on trip wires

»Fish hooks hung at eye level

»Punji pits

»Explosives connected to electrical switches

»Crossbows and spear guns on trip wires

Page 14: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Hazards

Booby traps»Contact explosives

»Acid containers on door jambs

»Creative carpentry

Page 15: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Unattended lab is most dangerous»Some processes take up to 72 hours

»Operators set up reactions, leave

» Impossible to determine stage process is in or how to shut it down

Page 16: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Touch nothing!Attempt to turn off nothing!Get out as quickly as possible!Do NOT use your radio until you

are out of and well away from lab!

Page 17: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Lab, area containing any personnel or equipment in contact with lab is HAZMAT HOT zone!

Vehicles that have come in contact with equipment, people that entered lab are part of HOT zone!

Page 18: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Response should include

Local law enforcement

DEA EPA Fire department

first alarm response

HAZMAT team Police EOD unit Local health

department Additional EMS

units EMS supervisory

personnel

Page 19: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Drug lab incidents are multi-agency operations!

Time to plan for them is BEFORE lab is discovered!

Page 20: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Stable patient:»Leave lab

»Remain in hot zone with patient until HAZMAT team arrives

»Do NOT return to ambulance if it is outside hot zone

»Follow HAZMAT team instructions regarding decon

Page 21: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Unstable patient:»Advise hospital of situation

»Request HAZMAT response to hospital to conduct decon there

»Hospital personnel who contact patient, you, or your equipment will require decon

Page 22: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Evacuate structures on all sides of lab

If fire or spill is present, evacuate downwind

If structure is burning, protect exposures; let it burn!

Consider spread, effects of runoff

Page 23: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Wait on DEA chemist before making decisions to cut off power, gas, or water

Gas, power, water should be shut off from well outside building

In some cases chemist may recommend withdrawing, waiting for process to complete

Page 24: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Personnel monitoring»EMS should monitor everyone

working in the hot zone

»Everyone leaving the hot zone should be evaluated after decontamination

Page 25: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Danger signs»Nausea

»Vomiting

»Headache

» Flushed face

»Burning of nose, throat, lungs

»Drowsiness

»Numbness, tingling of lips

»Blurred vision

Page 26: Clandestine Drug Labs. Extent of Problem l $175 of raw materials l 1 pound of pure methamphetamine l $32,000 street value

Operations

Drug labs are crime scenesProtect the evidence!