Is There a Meth Lab in Your neighborhood?

By: Rob Parker, RHI, CMI, CHI

If so, why should you be concerned?  Meth manufacturing is extremely dangerous and involves many common house hold chemical products. These products, and the array of their combinations, are potentially lethal and toxic. When mixed, the household chemicals used in the manufacturing process can damage the central nervous system, liver and kidneys and burn and irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat. The chemicals and fumes that permeate the walls, carpets, plaster and wood meth labs, as well as the surrounding soil are known to cause cancer, short tern and permanent brain damage and the immune and respiratory system problems.

Methamphetamine trafficking and production is dangerous, not only to the user, but to the people and home around the area. The reckless practices by untrained clandestine meth lab operators can result in explosions and fire that could lead to injury, death of the lab operator but to neighbors, law enforcement officers and fireman who come in contact with a lab. In addition to the dangers of meth labs, violence between drug dealers adds to the overall threat to any neighborhood or community.

Drug dealers and methamphetamine manufactures have common habits which are easily observed. Any single activity may or may not be sole proof that drug dealing or manufacturing is occurring; however, a combination of the following may be reason for concern:

• Frequent visitors at all times of the day or night
• Activity at the house is usually at odd hours or late at night
• Occupants are unfriendly, appear secretive about activities
• Occupants appear unemployed, yet seem to have plenty of money and pay bills with cash
• Occupants watch cars suspiciously as they pass by
• Occupants display paranoid or odd behavior
• Extensive security at the home or signs that indicate “Private Property” or “Beware of Dog”, fences, large shrubs, bushes and trees.
• Windows blackened or curtains always drawn.
• Occupants go outside the house to smoke cigarettes.
• Chemical odors coming from the house, garbage or detached buildings.
• Garbage contains numerous containers and bottles with the labels removed or painted or covered over.
• Occupant sets his garbage for pick up with another neighbors garbage.
• Evidence of chemical or waste dumping(i.e. burn pits or dead spots in yard)

If you observe  any combination of the above activities, report your concerns to your local police. Do not confront your neighbors with your suspicions or enter a suspected lab.

How bad is the problem?  A 2009 report by The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime revealed that Canada is the largest ecstasy ( a form of meth) supplier to the U.S.  Mean while, Japan says Canada is the single biggest source of seized ecstasy tablets. Canadian gangs and organized crime organizations have also ramped up the production of methamphetamines, shipping vast quantities to the U.S. and overseas. According to the U.N., Canada accounts for 62% of the meth seized in Japan by weight, and 83% in Australia. The U.S. department of Justice estimates Canadian drug traffickers now generate between US$33.7 billion and US$56.2 billion each year from U.S. drug sales, making Canada the Colombia of the north.

While America boasts the largest number of labs producing these pills, Canada’s labs are the largest on the continent, especially the ecstasy factories. The UNODC’s WORLD DRUG Report  from 2009 points out “Canada has grown to be most important producer of synthetic drugs for North America, and since 2006 all ecstasy labs reported have been large –capacity facilities operated by organized crime.

Given the above statistics, the chances of a meth lab being in or near your neighborhood may be a lot higher than you think . As a concerned citizen, you should be well aware of the signs and contact the authorities when you suspect one exists.