CLANDESTINE DRUG LABS: AN EPIDEMIC IN THE UNITED STATES
BY HANK A. HOWARD
The label OclandestineO may be misleading when applied to today?s drug labs, which may not always be well hidden. The current location of first choice for a Oclan labO is a motel room, followed, in order of preference, by rental storage lockers; residential properties; commercial properties; and rural barns, sheds, and outbuildings.
I have watched closely the increase in the number of drug lab seizures in California and our nation with a guarded concern. In Lodi, California alone, law enforcement teams and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have discovered and taken down 26 active laboratories between July 1995 and April 1996. With its population of more than 57,000, Lodi, California, is considered to be monopolizing the drug market. OIt?s only the tip of the iceberg,O according to Sergeant Virgil Monroe of the Lodi Police Department Narcotics Task Force.
President Clinton noted in a speech given in Coral Gables, Florida, in April that these illegal laboratories are increasing at an alarming rate in this state. He addressed specifically the problem of the use of methamphetamine (meth)?known as the OPoor Man?s CocaineO?in high schools and the work the DEA has underway to mitigate this problem. This substance is becoming the number one drug of choice in the United States.
EVOLUTION OF OVERALL DRUG USE
Amphetamine was developed in Europe in 1850. The London School of Medicine demonstrated medical uses for the drug in treating narcolepsy, hyperkinesis in children, and controlling obesity during the 1930s. During World War II, military personnel were issued amphetamine-based drugs so they could maintain alertness, and during the 1950s/1960s, college students used amphetamine as Opep pillsO and as Oblack beautiesO (for weight reduction). Truck drivers used it as ObenniesO and Ono dozingO capsules. Truck stops across the nation sold these products over the counter. In 1962, The Center for Disease Control and John Hopkins Hospital research found that amphetamine and methamphetamine use was more harmful to the human body than was first realized. In 1963, the first illegal methamphetamine laboratory was seized in Santa Cruz County, California. Seizure of illegal labs has been ongoing since the early 1960s. A tremendous increase in the illicit manufacture of drugs was seen during the 1960s and 1970s.
San Francisco?s Haight Ashbury drug culture and the University of California Berkeley campus turmoil highlighted the hype and high drug use in our nation. This period yielded the OFlower ChildO generation. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or acid, was the prevalent drug of this period.
LSD usage has declined appreciably (at least for the present time); barbiturates are virtually unheard of on the streets. In 1995, only one LSD lab was found in California. LSD manufacture requires an advanced chemical background. Highly specialized equipment is needed to process the chemicals into paper OhitO products.
A new drug called OphencyclidineO (PCP) surfaced during the 1980s. It is still prevalent in Southern California, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico.
From 1986 through 1990, 1,836 illegal laboratories were seized in California, representing 60 percent of all labs seized in the United States. In 1990, 270 drug labs and 1,700 pounds of products were seized. In 1995, 564 labs were seized and 13,225 pounds of methamphetamine confiscated.
According to the DEA and California narcotics agents, methylene-dioxyl-methamphetamine (MDMA)?commonly known as Ecstasy, Xtc., Adam, Essence, or MDA?will be the next generation of drugs. Early reports say the drug induces exceptionally strong sexual power and reacts much like the effects of methamphetamine.
RESIDENTIAL RESPONSE
At 2 a.m. on December 30, 1995, the Lodi Fire Department responded to a residential duplex structure fire. Flames were showing through the roof. After the initial attack, we found the remnants of a clan lab in the kitchen area. The cooling of meth was in progress. The cookers evidently erred, and a violent exothermic reaction occurred. The lab went high order and exploded with a resulting fully involved apartment fire. Two people were observed fleeing the property. The next day, one of them turned up at the San Joaquin County General Hospital with burns over 60 percent of his body. The second cooker showed up at another regional burn center with burns over 40 percent of his body. One gave the alibi that he had gotten burned in a boat fire some 40 miles away from the scene of the drug lab fire. Of course, there was no boat fire; both men were arrested. The explosion and fire caused $150,000 worth of damage. The property owner had to pay $8,000 for cleanup by a contractor engaged by the California Department of Toxic Substance Control.
WILLIAM TELL ADVENTURES
On April 22, 1996, we responded to a haz-mat call at a commercial restaurant. Two 55-gallon drums reportedly were dumped on the property. The Lodi (CA) Haz-Mat Team responded. using a spotting scope. It quickly determined that one of the barrels was out of round, pulsating, and apparently pressurized. The next objective was to decide how to depressurize the drum. Both drums were resting on their sides and would have to be prepared for drum over- packing.
Some non-haz-mat gurus suggested that a police officer be summoned and fire his gun into the barrel. The incident commander quickly overrode the suggestion, because it was potentially too dangerous and against the law to fire a weapon in our city. Where would the bullet go? Could it cause an explosion?
After brainstorming with the team members, the William Tell concept was proposed. Going back to the year 1200, lancers were trained to shoot arrows at men in armor and chain mail. Enter off-duty Captain Richard Newman, dressed in turnouts and donning SCBA. He had been called at home and asked to report to the command post with his bow and arrow. He aimed with his 125 field- gram-tip hunting arrow and bow and quickly shot into the drum. Bingo! The mission was accomplished with one arrow. The barrel contents proved to be pH 14 and waste from another lab that later was discovered in our city.
TRANSPORTATION OF LABS
Over the road, the 24-foot rental trucks are ideal for Ooff-siteO production of drugs. The California Highway Patrol and the Lodi Police Department have stopped and found active drug labs under production. Called Obox labs,O they have been found in station and sports-utility wagons. With the use of a small generator and the chemicals, the cooker can make pounds of the drug at a remote site without being detected.
Methamphetamine drug labs have become the DEA?s top enforcement priority. In March 1996, 50 percent of all DEA agents based in San Francisco were working with local law enforcement and CRACNET drug enforcement teams. Their combined efforts are focusing on the manufacture, transport, storage, and tracking of the chemicals used to produce methamphetamine.
There are three main reasons for the explosive and epidemic developments of meth-producing clan labs. The first is the drug?s increased popularity. It has gained notoriety from its connection to rap groups and the Ohip hopO culture. Money is the driving force behind this growth; enormous financial gains can be derived. As an example, an original investment of $3,000 in raw materials and equipment can yield $35,000 in cash. Drugs with a $3,000 street value in California are worth $12,000 on the street in Florida. The drug culture is a multibillion dollar annual business. Finally, the availability of over-the-counter chemicals, by-products, and reagents and the use of new cleaning techniques make the production of methamphetamine almost uncontrollable.
UNDERSTANDING THE INHERENT DANGERS OF CLAN LABS
Lab-containing properties are fortified, and darkout curtains usually cover windows and other openings. Shutters and blinds are usually kept closed. Loaded automatic weapons, rifles, and shotguns commonly are positioned near windows and doors. Pepper spray (MACE) has also been found among large quantities of ammunition. The structure may also be secured with window and door bars. Booby-trap devices often are used to protect the premises when occupants are away and to injure emergency responders.
Crankers have no respect for the environment. They don?t give a second thought to dumping the chemicals into a sewer system. Chemicals of this nature can rapidly destroy a biofloculator in a sewer plant. Dumped 55-gallon drums of meth oil are the by-product of producing this drug. Also residuals of meth oil are often found in five-gallon plastic pails. This oil may look like black motor oil or be dark brown in color. We have found pails of it indiscriminately dumped into commercial dumpsters.
Labs have been known to go Ohigh orderO and to explode during the cooking process. Hence, we are only a 911 call away. The DEA and law enforcement agencies have taken a positive professional approach to the seizure of assets and the Otake-downO of the labs. It used to be standard to walk into an illegal lab with no protective clothing. Basic plain-clothes detectives would conduct the Otake-down.O They would seize the weapons, money, and a few samples of chemicals present and leave the residual chemical mess to local heath officials to abate and clean up.
This position changed when the DEA and State Department of Justice mandated OPrudent CareO for its law enforcement officers involved in the process. The changes directed respiratory protection with a mask and filter, Level B disposable clothing, shoe-over protection, and doubled latex gloves for hand protection.
In California, the Department of Toxic Substance Control took charge of lab cleanups on July 1, 1995?to control the cleanup and disposal of found chemicals and monitor contractors designated to accomplish the extremely hazardous process of removing chemicals, glassware, and cooking equipment.
Clan labs are often associated with outlaw gang activities; the OHell?s Angels,O OOutlaws,O OCrips,O and OBloodsO have been associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine. Recently, Hispanic gangs and their families (La Familia) in San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the Central Valley of California, from Bakersfield to Chico, have taken control of manufacturing and distribution of the illegal drugs. Classical gang warfare and inter-rivalries have broken out among the competitor gangs.
This epidemic will continue to escalate. Thirty-five million doses were seized in 1995. As much as three times this amount may not have been seized. Awareness of the related hazards is necessary, because these chemicals are readily purchased over the counter. Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA) unveiled the Methamphetamine Control Act in March 1996 (Senate Bill 1607). The bill as passed tightens the federal controls on the chemicals used to manufacture the meth drug and limit the amount of ephederine and pseudo-ephedrine?a decongestant used to make the meth. These products may be purchased from drugstores and in bulk from club-type stores. Seventy-five percent of all hospital admissions for drugs are related to methamphetamine.
Be smart. Be alert. Be safe. n
ITEMS TO WATCH FOR IN CLAN LABS
Y Large currency transactions with large-denomination bills.
Y Large rolls of aluminum foil.
Y Many packages of coffee filters or other filter-type devices.
Y Quantities of chemicals (marked or unmarked).
Y Many five-gallon pails (empty or full).
Y Plastic water-cooler jugs.
Y Garden hose run into garages or kitchens (used for cooling condenser lines).
Y Chemicals, ephedrine or pseudo-ephedrine.
Y Over-the-counter drugs in pill containers, drugstore items.
Y Scientific glassware, boxes of plastic or glass tubing.
Y Beakers, funnels, condenser tubes.
Y Cooking devices: mantels, hot plates, camping stove.
Y Large quantities of ice?50-pound bags; large ice chest with tubing in place.
Y Large quantities of caustic drain opening products.
Y Loaded weapons.
Y Heavily fortified doors, deadbolts, bars.
Y High fences, vicious guard dogs.
Y Shuttered and barred windows.
Y High electrical and water usage.
Y Chemical and explosive booby traps.
Y Suspicious odors.
Y Numerous deliveries.
Y People coming and going at all times of the day or night.
Y Unusual foot traffic, bicycles used for deliveries of drugs.
Y Tenants who want to rent for an unusually short time, offering to pay in cash with large bills.
Y Tenants who stay at home at all times for apparently no reason.
Y An unusual amount of activity around sheds, cabins, ranch building.
Y Washer and dryer removed from their normal locations.
Y Use of 220-volt electric power for heating mantles.
Y Signs of chemical dumping into washer drain and showers. n
