Investigating Meth Labs Utilizing Sewer Systems
Presented bySgt. Jerry Briolat
Michigan State PolicePetoskey Post231-347-8101
What is a Clandestine Lab?
A clandestine lab is an unlicensed, often make-shift laboratory used in the manufacture of an illicit substance or drug.
The clandestine lab presents an inherent danger besides the end product
Meth labs can be found in…
• Houses• Vehicles• Fields• Barns• Semi Trailers• Hotel Rooms• Businesses• Just about anywhere
Meth Lab Dump Sites
• For every one pound of meth, about sixpounds of waste is created
• Hazardous materials including acids, solvents, caustics, and other toxic chemicals
• Dumped in ditches, roadsides, rivers, lakes, back yards, two-tracks, sewer drains, toilets, etc.
Michigan Meth Lab Trends
• Michigan ranks 7th out of 12 midwesternstates and 9th in the nation for 2007 data
• Missouri leads nation
• The majority of labs in Michigan have been discovered in southwest and south central Michigan
1999 2007
Meth Lab Statistics in Michigan over a Recent Nine Year Run
10 21
122
225267
294341
256
172
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350199920002001200220032004200520062007
What is Meth ?• Psycho-stimulant• Powerful upper• Effects the central
nervous system• Increases
metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure
• Increases body temperature and rate of breathing
• Produces Euphoria
• Poor Man’s Cocaine
Different Forms of Meth at Different Stages
•Useable Form•Non-useable form
What might the Meth User Look Like Along their Path of Self-Destruction
Or…
Who’s Flushing the Evidence Down the Toilet in Your General Direction
Renee at 21 years of age
1995 2000 at age 35
Meth Lab Chemicals• Operators of clandestine
labs utilize many legal household chemicals and items to manufacture illicit drugs.
• Mere possession is not a criminal offense. It is the intent and ability to utilize these items in an adulterated manner which makes this a criminal offense.
The Two Most Common Methods of Methamphetamine Production in Michigan
• Red Phosphorous Method– “Red P” Method
• Anhydrous Ammonia Method– “Nazi” or “Birch” Method
Meth Lab Chemical Properties• React to Air• React to Water• React to Shock or
Movement• React to Each Other• Attack your Eyes • Attack your Lungs /
Kidneys• Burn your Skin• KILL YOU
A Partial Chemical / Material List for a Meth Lab• Anhydrous
Ammonia• Toluene• Camping Fuel• Muriatic, Phosphoric
and/or Sulfuric Acids• Red Phosphorus• Hydrogen Peroxide• Lithium Batteries• Coffee Filters
• Salt• Paint Thinner• Methanol Alcohol• Ephedrine• Pseudoephedrine• Iodine• Ether• Matchbooks• And More
Filter Material
• Coffee Filters• Paper Towels• Cotton Balls• Upholstery
Batting
Pill Filler in Coffee Filters
More Filler and Filters
Lithium Batteries - Hulls and Inner Casings
Lithium Metal Strips
Meth Oil Prior to Separation
The Contents of HCl Gas Generators
Ephedrine / PseudoephedrinePackaging Materials
Anhydrous Ammonia
Anhydrous Ammonia in a 20-pound Cylinder
Effects of Anhydrous Ammonia
Not Just for Camping or Sporting Events
MatchbooksLarge Quantities of book matches are
obtained in order to get red phosphorous from the striker plates
Acids
Iodine
Hydrogen Peroxide
Sodium Hydroxide(Caustic soda; Sodium hydrate; Soda lye; Lye)
Solvents and Petroleum Distillates• Acetone• Toluene or Toluol• Xlene or Xylol• Denatured Alcohol• Camp Stove Fuel• Gas Line Antifreeze
(Heet)• Starting Fluid• Engine Degreasers• Rubbing Alcohol• Freon
More Solvents and Petro Distillates
Salts
Funnels and Glassware
• Pyrex - Type Glassware• Mason Jars
They Come in all Sizes and Shapes
Heat Sources• Hot Plates• Camp Stoves• Electric Fry-pans• Propane Torches• Crockpots• Coffeemakers• Sterno
pH Testing Supplies
A Common Thread?
• What do we see in almost all clandestine labs?
• DUCT TAPE
Catchin’ the Crap Before it Hits the Sewer
Waste Management Problems• Ammonia spikes• Adverse intake readings• Unstable nitrification readings• Excessive
– Volatile organic compounds– Iodine compounds– White phosphorus– Phosphine gas
Generally, the dumping of waste by-products occur in the hours of darkness. If this is done in the public sewer systems, they will appear as higher concentrations due to lower user discharge rates.
Who Do I Call?
• Law Enforcement Local to the Area (State Police, County Sheriff, City or Township Police)
• Meth Hotline 1-866-METH TIP– Forwards to MSP Operations Center– Advise them you are calling about a
meth incident.
Portions of this presentation were derived from information collected from the following…• Assoc. Of Wash. Cities, March 2001
Library Listing, Managing Your Risk addressing sewage lab thefts (www.awcnet.org)
• Environmental Leverage, Inc. (based in IL), Nov. 2007 newsletter addressing meth in the sewer systems (www.environmentalleverage.com)
QUESTIONS?
Investigating Meth Labs Utilizing Sewer SystemsMeth labs can be found in…Meth Lab Dump SitesMichigan Meth Lab Trends1999 2007Meth Lab Statistics in Michigan over a Recent Nine Year RunWhat is Meth ?Different Forms of Meth at Different StagesWhat might the Meth User Look Like Along their Path of Self-DestructionOr…Who’s Flushing the Evidence Down the Toilet in YMeth Lab ChemicalsThe Two Most Common Methods of Methamphetamine Production in MichiganMeth Lab Chemical PropertiesA Partial Chemical / Material List for a Meth LabFilter MaterialPill Filler in Coffee FiltersMore Filler and FiltersLithium Batteries - Hulls and Inner CasingsLithium Metal StripsMeth Oil Prior to SeparationThe Contents of HCl Gas GeneratorsEphedrine / Pseudoephedrine Packaging MaterialsAnhydrous AmmoniaAnhydrous Ammonia in a 20-pound CylinderEffects of Anhydrous AmmoniaNot Just for Camping or Sporting EventsMatchbooksAcidsIodineHydrogen PeroxideSodium Hydroxide(Caustic soda; Sodium hydrate; Soda lye; Lye)Solvents and Petroleum DistillatesMore Solvents and Petro DistillatesSaltsFunnels and GlasswareThey Come in all Sizes and ShapesHeat SourcespH Testing SuppliesA Common Thread?Catchin’ the Crap Before it Hits the SewerWaste Management ProblemsWho Do I Call?Portions of this presentation were derived from information collected from the following…QUESTIONS?