FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
TRAINING USE ONLY
Clandestine Drug Labs
In the fire service today there are many unseen dangers that present a great hazard to all firefighters, whether from a large metropolitan fire department or a small rural department. Some hazards may be created unknowingly by those involved, while some may be purposely created in order to cover something else up (such as a murder, theft, or some other illegal activity). A growing problem that creates a hazard to all firefighters is the illegal drug lab. These labs can be set up virtually anywhere, by almost anyone, to produce large or small quantities of illegal drugs such as LSD, synthetic heroin, or the most popular drug of choice, methamphetamine (commonly called speed or crank). A smokeable form of methamphetamine is also produced which is commonly called ice, glass or crystal. While these drugs are dangerous, the labs that produce these homemade drugs are equally as dangerous. These labs called Clandestine Drug Labs can mean disaster for the firefighter that stumbles across one while on a "routine call". Toxic chemicals, explosions, fires, booby traps, and even armed criminals can be encountered when coming across a clandestine drug lab. As professionals we owe it to ourselves as well as our fellow firefighters to learn everything we can that will enable us to identify and handle an emergency involving a clandestine drug lab.
This lesson will focus on the most common type of clandestine drug lab found in the United States, the methamphetamine lab. Methamphetamine, a derivative of amphetamine, is a powerful stimulant that affects the central nervous system. Amphetamine was intended for use in nasal decongestants and bronchial inhalers and has limited medical applications, including the treatment of narcolepsy, weight control, and attention deficit disorder. Methamphetamine is accessible in many different forms and may be identified by color, which ranges from white or yellow to darker colors such as red or brown. Methamphetamine use produces increases in energy and alertness, heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and rate of breathing. Meth also dilates the pupils and produces temporary hyperactivity, euphoria, tremors, and it frequently results in violent behavior in users. Chronic abuse can also cause anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, hallucinations, schizophrenia characterized as paranoia, and delusions. The "high" felt from methamphetamine results from the release of high levels of dopamine into the section of the brain that controls the feeling of pleasure. The effects of methamphetamine can last up to twelve hours. Side effects of methamphetamine use are convulsions, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia, stomach cramps, and shaking. Chronic abusers are also characterized as having poor hygiene, a pale complexion, and at times, sores on their bodies from scratching at "crank bugs," which is a common delusion that bugs are crawling under their skin. Recognizing the signs of methamphetamine use can be beneficial to the first arriving Fire or EMS unit and should spark caution before entering a structure where these individuals are encountered.
Meth labs have been around since the Nazi's developed a production method that could be used in the field by their soldiers during World War II. The meth lab problem became a concern in the United States during the sixties, when outlaw motorcycle gangs began producing and trafficking their own methamphetamine. The majority of methamphetamine available in the U.S. is produced in Mexico and smuggled in for distribution, but the level of domestic production by U.S. citizens is also a concern. Makeshift labs and super labs have been popping up all over the country. Based on DEA statistics, the number of methamphetamine labs seized has grown from 218 in 1993 to over 1600 in 1998. According to the National Database for the calendar year of 1999 there were 6,835 methamphetamine lab seizures, and 26 amphetamine lab seizures which totaled 97% of all reported clan lab seizures. In the 6,861 incidents involving labs there were 877 children at the sites, 101 explosions, 80 explosives and/or booby traps found, and 64 fires. In the state of Texas there were 181 reported lab seizures in 1999. Keep in mind that these numbers only reflect the reported lab seizures, the number of operational clan labs more than likely far exceeds the reported number. With simple production methods, easily attainable chemicals and high profits the clan lab problem is sure to escalate to even a greater level in the years to come.
There are several different production methods that use various types of equipment and different chemicals to produce basically the same product. Most of the ingredients used to manufacture the drug can be purchased at your local retail store. The equipment used in the production process can range from a mason jar to sophisticated laboratory equipment. Unlike other dangerous drugs such as LSD, it doesn't take a college-educated chemist to produce methamphetamine. With Internet access available to virtually everyone, many clan lab chemists have posted their recipes on the web. User's can set up a small lab in their kitchen or even in their car to produce enough drugs to sustain their addiction. Some labs have been found in motor homes and RV's, basements, apartments, tractor- trailers, vans, and even in mini-storage facilities.
FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
TRAINING USE ONLY
Clandestine Drug Labs
The process being used determines the chemicals that will be present at the lab. In order to better understand the hazards associated with methamphetamine labs, the process of production should be explained in detail. The following are the three most common production methods for methamphetamine:
P2P LabPrecursor: / Phenyl-2-Propanone.
Product: / Racemic mixtures of 1-Methamphetamine (50%) and d-Methamphetamine (50%).
Method: / Phenyl-2-Propanone reduction using Methylamine and Mercuric chloride.
Synonyms: / "P2P" lab, "Biker" lab, and "Prop Dope" lab.
Procedure: / Step 1- Reflux
Combine phenyl-2-propanone, methylamine, mercuric chloride, alcohol, and aluminum foil.
Heat and "cook" the mixture. Allow the mixture to separate and form an oil layer on top.
Cool the reaction.
Step 2- Separation
Vacuum filter the reaction to separate out the gray sludge at the bottom.
Keep the oil layer.
Wash the oil with a solvent.
Separate the solvent layer.
Step 3- Crystallization
Bubble hydrogen chloride gas through the solvent to precipitate methylamine hydrochloride.
Let dry.
Unique Hazards: /
- Severe eye and skin irritation from methylamine (may cause blindness).
- Use of highly toxic mercuric chloride.
- Occasional use of methylamine compressed gas cylinders.
Variations: / Acidify the oil layer directly (i.e., delete solvent washing step).
Ammonia Lab
Precursor: / Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine
Product: / d-Methamphetamine
Method: / Ephedrine reduction using anhydrous ammonia and lithium or sodium metal.
Synonyms: / "Nazi" lab, and "Sodium Metal" lab.
Procedure: / Step 1- Extract tablets
Grind up tablets and place in container.
Add water, shake, then let sit.
Separate liquid from solid.
Save solid; and use as a "cut."
Heat and evaporate liquid to form a paste.
Step 2- Reduction Phase
Introduce anhydrous ammonia to a container.
Add lithium or sodium metal (cut up in pieces) to ammonia.
Add ephedrine to mixture; mix.
Step 3- Oil Phase
Add water to the react (to react out any unreacted metal).
Allow ammonia to evaporate.
Let reaction sit to let oil layer form (top layer).
Separate the oil layer.
Step 4- Crystallization
Wash the oil layer with a solvent.
Separate the solvent layer.
Bubble hydrogen chloride gas through the solvent to precipitate methamphetamine hydrochloride.
Let dry.
Unique Hazards: /
- Electroplating sodium metal from molten sodium hydroxide.
- Flammability and irritant toxicity hazard from concentrated ammonia atmospheres.
- Reaction of water with sodium or lithium metals.
Variations: /
- Use of an acetone/dry ice bath to keep original anhydrous ammonia mixture from evaporating prematurely.
- Recovery of lithium ribbon from camera batteries.
Red Phosphorous Lab
Precursor: / Ephedrine or Pseudoephedrine.
Product: / d-methamphetamine
Method: / Ephedrine reduction using red phosphorous and hydriodic acid.
Synonyms: / "Red P" lab, "Tweeker" lab, "HI" lab, and "Mexican National" lab.
Procedure: / Step 1-Extract tablets
Grind up tablets and place in water.
Add water, shake, then let sit.
Separate liquid from solid.
Save solid; dry; and use as a "cut."
Heat and evaporate liquid to form a paste.
Step 2-Reflux ephedrine
Combine ephedrine, red phosphorous, and hydriodic acid.
Heat and "cook" mixture.
Let cool (mixture contains a sludge at bottom).
Step 3-Separation
Filter the mixture. Save and re-use the sludge (red phosphorous).
Add sodium hydroxide (lye) to the liquid. Allow an oil layer to form on top of the water.
Separate the oil layer from the water layer.
Wash the oil layer with a solvent (i.e., shake with an equal volume of solvent).
Step 4-Crystallization
Wash the oil layer with a solvent.
Separate the solvent layer.
Bubble hydrogen chloride gas through the solvent to precipitate methamphetamine hydrochloride.
Let dry.
Unique Hazards: /
- Phosphine gas production.
- Conversion of red phosphorous to white phosphorous.
- Use of acid gas generators.
- Exothermic/incompatible reaction of red phosphorous.
Variations: /
- Use iodine and water instead of hydriodic acid
- Use hypophosphorous acid instead of red phosphorous.
During the initial mixing and heating of the chemicals there are dangers of fires, explosions, and the emission of toxic gases. Hydriodic vapors can be present in the first phase of production, simply from the presence of hydriodic acid or as a by-product emitted from heating the mixture of ephedrine, hydriodic acid, and red phosphorous. If this mixture is allowed to cook dry, a highly unstable and poisonous phosphine gas will be generated. Phosphine gas has a garlic like odor and is dissipated easily, but the greatest threat occurs when a concentration of this gas meets a spark, causing a dangerous chemical fire. The toxic fumes from these gases can cause nausea in short-term
exposure. Prolonged exposure to phosphine gas, hydriodic acid, and phosphoric acid can cause internal chemical burns and permanent respiratory damage. When red phosphorous is used it must be separated, using pillowcases or bed sheets as filters, before a base is added. Bases, such as sodium hydroxide (lye/caustic soda) will make the red phosphorous very unstable and could lead to fires or explosions. Red phosphorous is not water-soluble and could become part of the finished product, which could prove fatal to users, if in high concentrations. While converting to a base the greatest hazard encountered will be from spills of acidic mixtures. Large amounts of sodium hydroxide waste are produced when extracting d-methamphetamine from the sodium hydroxide solution. Freon or other solvents such as Coleman fuel are used to "drag" the d-methamphetamine from the sodium hydroxide solution.
FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
TRAINING USE ONLY
Clandestine Drug Labs
Environmental Impact
After completion of the production process there is a large amount of hazardous waste left over. The hazardous waste generated is dumped on site or hauled away to other areas and dumped in rivers, streams, or wooded areas. This creates a great hazard to the environment as well as the people who live around these sites and those who are called to respond on haz-mat calls. If large amounts of waste are discarded, the contaminants may reach the water supply and corrupt or poison crops or livestock that draw upon the water, creating secondary contamination.
Many labs can produce large quantities of finished product in only twelve hours. There are five to six pounds of waste produced from every pound of finished product.
Common types of waste found at dump sites.
Common waste / Prewaste usageFreon cans / Used to store sodium hydroxide waste left over from the cooking process.
Gas cans / Often used to transport hydriodic acid
Compressed gas cylinders / HCL gas used to precipitate d-methamphetamine out of sodium hydroxide solution.
Discarded clothing, shoes, and gloves / D- methamphetamine lab workers often purchase new clothes because contaminated clothing can be used as evidence.
Respiratory mask filters and dust mask / Individuals supervising the process use respirators; however, lower level lab workers may only have dust mask.
Pillow cases/ bed sheets / Used to strain out red phosphorous in the second step of the cooking process.
The bulk of the wastes found at these dumpsites consist of sodium hydroxide. This liquid can be left in containers, which will corrode and leak over time, or just simply dumped onto the ground causing soil sterilization and local water contamination. When separating red phosphorous, many lab cooks use bed sheets or pillow cases. This fabric holds large amounts of red phosphorous and hydriodic acid, which will remain a hazard for decades. Red phosphorous remains highly combustible even after being buried for years. Attempting to dig up or clean up the site could create enough friction to ignite the red phosphorous causing chemical fires. Almost any type of sealed container that can hold pressurized gas can be used in clan labs. Fire extinguishers, scuba tanks, and soda dispensers have been used to generate hydrogen chloride gas. Anhydrous ammonia has been found in modified propane cylinders and large pressurized cylinders.
The following is a list of some of the chemicals used to produce methamphetamine:
Acetic Acid
Other Names: glacial acetic acid, ethanoic acid
Legitimate uses: manufacture of vinyl acetate, cellulose acetate, and acetic anhydride.
Illicit uses: Clandestine manufacture of P2P for amphetamine/ methamphetamine.
Description: Colorless corrosive liquid with pungent odor.
Ephedrine
Other Names: 2-methylamino-1-phenyl-1-propanol
Legitimate uses: 1-ephedrine is a bronchodilator
Illicit uses: used in the production of methamphetamine.
Description: white crystals
Ethyl Ether
Other names: diethyl ether
Legitimate uses: solvent used in the extraction of waxes, fats, oils, perfumes, and dyes.
Illicit uses: solvent used in the production of cocaine HCL, heroin HCL, and "Nazi Method" for methamphetamine.
Description: a colorless liquid with a medicinal smell.
Hazards: very volatile, highly flammable liquid.
Human toxicity: mildly irritating to skin, mucous membranes, inhalation of high concentration can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Hexane
Other names: n-hexane
Legitimate uses: solvent used in refractive indices and for thermometer filling.
Illicit uses: solvent used in the production of cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine.
Description: colorless flammable liquid.
Hydriodic Acid
Other names: hydrogen iodide
Legitimate uses: disinfectant, chemical reagent
Illicit uses: a reducing agent in the production of methamphetamine with ephedrine.
Description: colorless corrosive liquid.
Hydrochloric Acid
Other names: muriatic acid
Legitimate uses: in the production of hydrochlorides
Illicit uses: in the production of HCL salts for methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine.
Description: clear liquid that is highly corrosive.
Human toxicity: external contact causes severe burns, permanent visual damage may occur. Inhalation may cause coughing, choking, and inflammation of respiratory tract. Ingestion may cause corrosion of mucous membranes esophagus, stomach, and even death.
Iodine
Other names: none
Legitimate uses: in the manufacture of iodine compounds and antiseptics. Used to reduce friction on hard surfaces.
Illicit uses: production of methamphetamine with ephedrine.
Description: bluish scales, characteristic odor, and produces a violet corrosive gas.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Other names: ispropanol
Legitimate uses: as a solvent, a dehydration agent, a defrosting agent, and an antiseptic.
Illicit uses: in the recrystallization of hydrochloride salts of some clandestinely produced substances.
Description: colorless flammable liquid with a bitter taste.
Methlyamine
Other names: methanamine, 40%
Legitimate uses: in the production of insecticides (36%), explosives, and cleaning solvent.
Illicit uses: precursor in the production of methamphetamine and MDA.
Description: corrosive liquid, flammable at pressure and has strong ammonia smell.
Nitroethane
Other names: none
Legitimate uses: solvent in organic synthesis
Illicit uses: in the production of methamphetamine, MDA, MDMA.
Description: oily liquid with a pleasant odor.
Phenylacetic Acid
Other names: benzeneacetic acid
Legitimate uses: in the manufacture of perfumes, herbicides, penicillin, and a flavoring agent for foods.
Illicit uses: production of P2P, methamphetamine, and amphetamine.
Description: white powder with a very disagreeable odor.
Phenyl-2-propanone
Other names: P2P, phenylacetone, methyl benzyl ketone, and BMK.
Legitimate uses: production of amphetamine.
Illicit uses: production of amphetamine, and methamphetamine.
Description: clear moderately viscous liquid.
Pseudoephedrine
Other names: 2-methylamino-1-phenyl-1-proponal
Legitimate uses: nasal decongestants and bronchodilators.
Elicit uses: production of methamphetamine
Description: white crystalline material
Red Phosphorus
Other names: none
Legitimate uses: used in pyrotechnics, manufacture of safety matches
Illicit uses: manufacture of methamphetamine
Description: red powder
Not only are there dangers from toxic chemicals and gases, fires, or explosions, but also from booby-traps. The clan lab cooks use booby-traps for warning and for protection. Sometimes explosive devices are set to destroy a lab if raided by police. Any normal movement, such as opening a door or turning on a light switch can trigger these traps. Any unsuspecting person could set off these devices, leading to bodily injury or even death.
Some common booby-traps are:
- Trip wires designed to set off alarms, explosions, or toxic chemical devices.
- Light switches, refrigerators, VCR's or other electrical appliances wired to explosive devices.
- Buried wooden planks with large nails or spikes protruding upward.
- Attack dogs can also be used.
These devices will commonly be found at areas of normal entry including front or back doors, gates, and windows. Trip wires may be found on any pathway, not just sidewalks or entryways. Be alert when responding to a possible drug lab site!!!