Clandestine Drug Manufacturing and Grow Operations Notes

Page 1

Introduction to Clandestine Drug and Grow Operations

  • TPO: The course focuses on recognizing the dangers and risks from clandestine labs and growing operations & take the

    appropriate actions when responding

  • EPO #1: Recognizing clandestine methamphetamine labs and understanding precursor chemicals and hazards.

  • EPO #2: Recognizing clandestine marijuana grows and identifying environmental hazards associated with these scenes.

Page 2

Clandestine Drug Manufacturing Operations

  • Clandestine labs have been active in the U.S. for decades.

  • Students will recognize different types of clandestine narcotics manufacturing methods.

  • Key Terminology:

    • Clandestine labs: Secret labs used for illicit drug production.

    • Narcotics: Drugs that dull the senses and are often illegal.

Page 3

Growth in Clandestine Labs

  • Accessibility of information:

    • Detailed instructions for drug manufacturing are easily found online.

    • New methods allow production from readily available chemicals.

  • The popularity of methamphetamine is linked to simpler production methods.

  • Types of Methamphetamine Labs:

    1. Small-Scale Labs: Produce 1 to 4 ounces per cycle; mainly for personal use and small sales.

    2. “Super” Labs:

    • Located mainly in southern California and Mexico.

    • Can produce ten or more pounds per cycle.

Page 4

Characteristics of Small-Scale Labs

  • Operational Aspects:

    • Often referred to as “mom & pop” or “Beavis & Butthead” labs.

    • Responsible for 90% of the labs, yet only contribute to 20% of total meth production due to the sheer size and output of super labs.

  • Dependency among operators often fuels production cycles.

Page 5

Mobility and Risks Involved

  • Small labs can be mobile, set up and dismantled easily.

  • This mobility helps operators evade law enforcement and avoid being held accountable for hazardous materials clean-up.

  • Key Chemicals & Equipment:

    • Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and others are commonly used in small labs.

Page 6

Regulatory Impacts on Clandestine Labs

  • March 2006: U.S. banned over-the-counter sales of certain cold medicines, impacting small-time cooks' access to precursor chemicals.

  • This regulation shift led to a decline in smaller labs and an increase in Mexican cartels and super labs for production.

  • 3 Cooking Methods for Methamphetamine:

    • Phenyl-2-propanone (P2P) method

    • Red phosphorous method

    • Nazi dope method: Involves lithium or sodium, referencing historical military use.

Page 7

Methamphetamine Production Methods

  • Each method has varying complexities and potential fallout.

  • The One Pot method allows for dangerous production in a singular reaction vessel, increasing risks of explosions.

Page 10

Explosion Risks and Waste Management

  • Roughly 20% of labs are discovered through explosions.

  • Every pound of meth produces 5-6 pounds of hazardous waste, often disposed of unsafely, creating environmental and health risks.

Page 12

Odor Indicators of Meth Labs

  • Certain smells can signal the presence of a meth lab:

    • Garlic - phosphine

    • Rotten eggs - sulfur

    • Cat urine - ammonia

    • Nail polish remover - acetone

    • Hospital smell - ether

  • It’s crucial to gather intelligence and ascertain hazards before approaching suspected labs.

Page 14

Response Protocols

  • Fire departments and HAZMAT teams should be on standby when investigating suspected labs.

  • DEA notification protocols apply especially for labs found on Air Force property.

COL’s

  • How many pounds of waste is produced by every pound of

    methamphetamine produced?

  • 5-6

EPO #2

Clandestine Marijuana Grow Operations

  • Increasing instances of illegal marijuana growth on public and private lands, including Air Force properties.

  • Risks involved encompass environmental hazards to the community, with growing operations causing extensive property damage.

locations

  • Leased properties

  • Comercial spaces

  • Residential homes

  • Apartments

Page 16

Locations for Indoor Grow Operations

  • Grow sites are small and unattended

  • Common locations for clandestine grows include basements and other concealed spaces to avoid damage to personal property.

  • Law enforcement has executed numerous raids resulting in significant seizures of marijuana.

Indicators

  • Mysterious sources of moisture, such as a history of toilet and sink backups

  • Operators of clandestine indoor grow operations put a lot of debris, such as soil and plant parts, down the drain

  • Water damage and mold, but no obvious source of where the moisture came from

  • Disconnected flues, exhausts of natural gas or propane gas appliances, such as hot water heaters, ranges, HVAC system furnaces, and dryers, so they vent indoors

Info to Collect

COL’s

  • How are most clandestine marijuana grow operations classified?

  • small and unattended

EPO #3

Non-Traditional Clandestine Manufacturing Operations

  • The rise in non-traditional drug manufacturing such as DMT extraction from Mimosa Hostilis.

  • Methods include using solvents which pose additional risks including toxicity and serious health hazards.

  • solvents used:

    • N-hexane

    • Ethyl acetate

    • N-butanol

    • Dichloromethane

    • Chloroform

  • Lazymans: most common manufacturing method

  • Hazard Awareness

    • A Hazmat team should be contacted if a DMT

      lab is discovered

Page 22

Quick Methods of Mushroom Growth

  • Overview of techniques for cultivating mushrooms, including the sterilization process and the use of agar methods in safe environments.

Page 24

Conclusion

  • A comprehensive understanding of clandestine drug operations is essential for law enforcement, including recognition of various drug types and their hazards.

  • Constant awareness of evolving methods and regulations is imperative for effective response and mitigation strategies.

CoL

  • The straight-to-base method of extraction is used to extract what drug?

  • DMT