Clandestine Drug Labs, 2nd Edition

• NCJ Number: 195988
• Author(s): Michael S. Scott
• Date Published: April 2002
• Length: 62 pages
• Grant Number(s): 99-CK-WX-K004
• Sponsoring Agency: California Agriculture Experiment Station
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services; California Agriculture Experiment Station
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Handbook
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: COPS Problem-Oriented Guides for Police Series, Guide No. 16.

Annotation

This problem-oriented guide instructs police officers on the problem of clandestine drug labs and how to effectively combat them.

Abstract

Clandestine drug labs have been around since the 1960’s, however, in the last 10 years these labs have become much more widespread. This guide begins by describing the problems associated with clandestine drug labs, including physical dangers from explosions, fires, and chemical burns; environmental hazards caused by chemical waste and run off; and child endangerment. The author goes on to explain that there are two main types of clandestine drug labs: a “super” lab that makes large volumes of illegal drugs and smaller “mom and pop” labs that only produce small quantities of illegal substances. While the super labs produce more drugs, the mom and pop operations are often of more concern because they produce the most dangers to the environment, the offenders, and to children due to their amateur nature. The author describes the chemicals most often used in clandestine drug labs and then offers guidance for police officers who are assessing their local problem with these drug labs. Once the local problem has been identified, the author offers several suggestions for responding to the problem of clandestine drug labs. First and foremost is the goal of finding and seizing these drug labs. Once this is accomplished, law enforcement can proceed with arresting and prosecuting offenders, as well as seizing and forfeiting the offenders’ assets. Environmental protection law violations and child endangerment law violations may also be brought against these offenders. A tacit that is useful in the identification and suppression of clandestine drug labs is to monitor and control the chemicals that are most often used in these labs. Training citizens to recognize signs of a potential clandestine drug lab and training sales clerks to detect and report suspicious chemical purchases are effective tools in the fight against drug labs. The author concludes this guide with tips for protecting those exposed to clandestine drug labs, such as children. Resources should also be made available for the treatment of illicit drug addiction.