Methamphetamine production and usage is apparently surging again as the popularity of this drug increases. Following a dramatic decline over several years, the availability of meth–a highly addictive stimulant cooked with chemicals, from over the counter cold medications, began to grow in 2008. Labs can be found in homes, rental units, barns and even vehicles. Users subject themselves to dangerous byproducts such as toxic waste, explosions, theft and other crimes to support their addiction.
In 2004, over 17,000 methamphetamine labs were discovered, supplying everyone from soccer moms to cons just released from prison. To deal with this problem, in 2005 U.S. Congress passed restrictions on key ingredients ephedrine and pseudoephedrine found in cold and allergy medicines. This action helped, as agents found just 5,910 labs. That year, Mexico banned all imports containing either of these chemicals in an effort to curb exports by large scale traffickers. The move helped create a methamphetamine shortage in many parts of the country during 2007, and the first part of 2008, as reported by the National Drug Intelligence Center in its December report.
As a result of Federal restrictions passed in 2005, there are daily and monthly limits on how many grams of ephedrine-based products may be purchased. Employees check customers’ identificationa and log the amounts into a store or chain-wide database to ensure compliance.
These restrictions worked for awhile, but methamphetamine producers have found a way to get around them. Authorities say, small time “cooks” are now sidestepping these federal regulations to obtain the ingredients needed to manufacture this drug by using a technique call “smurfing”. Small groups who know two or more “cooks”, travel from store to store buying the maximum allowable amount of ingredients, then trade these medications for the finished methamphetamine product or take cash. Smurfers are paid about $50 for a $9 box of medication.
Being watchful for neighborhood meth labs is an important step in keeping our families and communities safe.
Signs of a potential met lab include:
1. Large quantities of discarded packaging from lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, blister packs from cold remedy packages.
2. Unusual amounts of clear glass containers being brought into the area of the lab.
3. Unusual strong odors (similar to cat urine), ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals.
4. Odors that cause headaches or eye irritation.
5. In residence housing labs, the windows may be blacked out with plastic or tinfoil.
6. Renters using a property for a lab usually only pay in cash.
7. Increased traffic, pedestrian and vehicular.
8. Increased security around the building – surveillance cameras, guard dogs, etc.
9. Signs of chemical burns and spills – dark red phosphorous stains in the sinks, toilets or bathtubs, or red staining on the interior walls, counter tops and flooring.
10. Visible areas in the yard where chemicals have been dumped, or burn pits with chemical container remains, dead or dying vegetation.
11. Jars containing clear liquid with a white or red-coloured solid on the bottom, jars with shiny metallic purple crystals inside, bottles or jars with rubber tubing attached.
12. Propane tanks with fittings that have turned blue or green.
13 Excessive trash with large amounts of the following: alcohol, benzene, toluene/paint thinner, Freon, acetone, chloroform, camp stove fuel, starter fluid, anti-freeze, anhydrous ammonia, Heet, white gasoline, phenyl-2-propane, phenyl acetone, phenyl propanolamine, iodine crystals, red phosphorous, black iodine, lye, Drano, muriatic or hydrochloric acid, battery acid or sulphuric acid, Epsom salts, batteries/lithium, sodium metal, wooden matches, propane cylinders, hot plates, ephedrine, pseudo-ephedrine, cold tablets, bronchodilators, energy boosters, rock salt, diet aids..
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…..Doug T
