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Identifying an Illegal or Clandestine Drug Lab
Four types of clandestine labs have been found in Indiana; meth, fentanyl, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and butane honey oil.
What is a meth lab?
- Abnormal amounts of chemical products such as drain cleaner, cold packs, pseudoephedrine tablets, or lithium batteries
- Strong or irritating pungent odors (Ammonia/Solvents)
- Distinctive trash such as pseudoephedrine "bubble" packaging, battery casings from disassembled lithium batteries, and HCL generators (plastic bottles with tubing)
- Containers altered from their original use, i.e., gas tanks (like the kind attached to a grill) with retrofitted valves
- Spent one pot reactions with different powders, liquids, and pieces inside disposable containers, i.e., plastic drink bottles
How is meth manufactured?
EPA's Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine Laboratory Cleanup provides technical guidance for state and local personnel responsible for methamphetamine (meth) lab cleanup. The Guidelines are based on an extensive review of the best available science and practices and addresses general cleanup activities, identifies best practices for specific items or materials, discusses sampling procedures, and provides additional technical resources. These guidelines explain the four methods used to manufacture methamphetamine:
- Nazi/Birch Reduction
- Red Phosphorus/Hydriodic Acid
- P2P Amalgam
- One-Pot
What are signs that someone may have been manufacturing meth?
What is a fentanyl lab?
- Fentanyl is a white powder and looks very similar to methamphetamine.
- Containers altered from their original use, i.e., blender or stand mixer used to combine fentanyl with other drugs like heroin, or inert substances to increase the amount of product.
- Pill pressing machines often used to create faux prescription opioids.
For more information:
- Indiana Environmental Health Association Common Meth Chemicals Chart
- Indiana State Police Database of Clandestine Lab Addresses: (http://www.in.gov/meth/2371.htm)
- Indiana State Police Photos of Meth Labs: http://www.in.gov/meth/files/What_does_a_Meth_Lab_Look_Like.pdf
- The National Clandestine Laboratory Register maintained by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides nationwide data of reported illegal drug labs. For details, click on the state of Indiana within the United States map to view the addresses. Please also note the disclaimer https://www.justice.gov/legalpolicies#disclaimer.
- Report Suspected Meth Activity to the Indiana State Police (ISP): http://www.in.gov/meth/2336.htm
- Meth Tip Line 1-800-453-4756