Investigating Meth Labs Utilizing Sewer Systems

Presented bySgt. Jerry Briolat

Michigan State PolicePetoskey Post231-347-8101

briolatj@mi.gov

What is a Clandestine Lab?

A clandestine lab is an unlicensed, often make-shift laboratory used in the manufacture of an illicit substance or drug.

The clandestine lab presents an inherent danger besides the end product

Meth labs can be found in…

• Houses• Vehicles• Fields• Barns• Semi Trailers• Hotel Rooms• Businesses• Just about anywhere

Meth Lab Dump Sites

• For every one pound of meth, about sixpounds of waste is created

• Hazardous materials including acids, solvents, caustics, and other toxic chemicals

• Dumped in ditches, roadsides, rivers, lakes, back yards, two-tracks, sewer drains, toilets, etc.

Michigan Meth Lab Trends

• Michigan ranks 7th out of 12 midwesternstates and 9th in the nation for 2007 data

• Missouri leads nation

• The majority of labs in Michigan have been discovered in southwest and south central Michigan

1999 2007

Meth Lab Statistics in Michigan over a Recent Nine Year Run

10 21

122

225267

294341

256

172

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350199920002001200220032004200520062007

What is Meth ?• Psycho-stimulant• Powerful upper• Effects the central

nervous system• Increases

metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure

• Increases body temperature and rate of breathing

• Produces Euphoria

• Poor Man’s Cocaine

Different Forms of Meth at Different Stages

•Useable Form•Non-useable form

What might the Meth User Look Like Along their Path of Self-Destruction

Or…

Who’s Flushing the Evidence Down the Toilet in Your General Direction

Renee at 21 years of age

1995 2000 at age 35

Meth Lab Chemicals• Operators of clandestine

labs utilize many legal household chemicals and items to manufacture illicit drugs.

• Mere possession is not a criminal offense. It is the intent and ability to utilize these items in an adulterated manner which makes this a criminal offense.

The Two Most Common Methods of Methamphetamine Production in Michigan

• Red Phosphorous Method– “Red P” Method

• Anhydrous Ammonia Method– “Nazi” or “Birch” Method

Meth Lab Chemical Properties• React to Air• React to Water• React to Shock or

Movement• React to Each Other• Attack your Eyes • Attack your Lungs /

Kidneys• Burn your Skin• KILL YOU

A Partial Chemical / Material List for a Meth Lab• Anhydrous

Ammonia• Toluene• Camping Fuel• Muriatic, Phosphoric

and/or Sulfuric Acids• Red Phosphorus• Hydrogen Peroxide• Lithium Batteries• Coffee Filters

• Salt• Paint Thinner• Methanol Alcohol• Ephedrine• Pseudoephedrine• Iodine• Ether• Matchbooks• And More

Filter Material

• Coffee Filters• Paper Towels• Cotton Balls• Upholstery

Batting

Pill Filler in Coffee Filters

More Filler and Filters

Lithium Batteries - Hulls and Inner Casings

Lithium Metal Strips

Meth Oil Prior to Separation

The Contents of HCl Gas Generators

Ephedrine / PseudoephedrinePackaging Materials

Anhydrous Ammonia

Anhydrous Ammonia in a 20-pound Cylinder

Effects of Anhydrous Ammonia

Not Just for Camping or Sporting Events

MatchbooksLarge Quantities of book matches are

obtained in order to get red phosphorous from the striker plates

Acids

Iodine

Hydrogen Peroxide

Sodium Hydroxide(Caustic soda; Sodium hydrate; Soda lye; Lye)

Solvents and Petroleum Distillates• Acetone• Toluene or Toluol• Xlene or Xylol• Denatured Alcohol• Camp Stove Fuel• Gas Line Antifreeze

(Heet)• Starting Fluid• Engine Degreasers• Rubbing Alcohol• Freon

More Solvents and Petro Distillates

Salts

Funnels and Glassware

• Pyrex - Type Glassware• Mason Jars

They Come in all Sizes and Shapes

Heat Sources• Hot Plates• Camp Stoves• Electric Fry-pans• Propane Torches• Crockpots• Coffeemakers• Sterno

pH Testing Supplies

A Common Thread?

• What do we see in almost all clandestine labs?

• DUCT TAPE

Catchin’ the Crap Before it Hits the Sewer

Waste Management Problems• Ammonia spikes• Adverse intake readings• Unstable nitrification readings• Excessive

– Volatile organic compounds– Iodine compounds– White phosphorus– Phosphine gas

Generally, the dumping of waste by-products occur in the hours of darkness. If this is done in the public sewer systems, they will appear as higher concentrations due to lower user discharge rates.

Who Do I Call?

• Law Enforcement Local to the Area (State Police, County Sheriff, City or Township Police)

• Meth Hotline 1-866-METH TIP– Forwards to MSP Operations Center– Advise them you are calling about a

meth incident.

Portions of this presentation were derived from information collected from the following…• Assoc. Of Wash. Cities, March 2001

Library Listing, Managing Your Risk addressing sewage lab thefts (www.awcnet.org)

• Environmental Leverage, Inc. (based in IL), Nov. 2007 newsletter addressing meth in the sewer systems (www.environmentalleverage.com)

QUESTIONS?

Investigating Meth Labs Utilizing Sewer SystemsMeth labs can be found in…Meth Lab Dump SitesMichigan Meth Lab Trends1999 2007Meth Lab Statistics in Michigan over a Recent Nine Year RunWhat is Meth ?Different Forms of Meth at Different StagesWhat might the Meth User Look Like Along their Path of Self-DestructionOr…Who’s Flushing the Evidence Down the Toilet in YMeth Lab ChemicalsThe Two Most Common Methods of Methamphetamine Production in MichiganMeth Lab Chemical PropertiesA Partial Chemical / Material List for a Meth LabFilter MaterialPill Filler in Coffee FiltersMore Filler and FiltersLithium Batteries - Hulls and Inner CasingsLithium Metal StripsMeth Oil Prior to SeparationThe Contents of HCl Gas GeneratorsEphedrine / Pseudoephedrine Packaging MaterialsAnhydrous AmmoniaAnhydrous Ammonia in a 20-pound CylinderEffects of Anhydrous AmmoniaNot Just for Camping or Sporting EventsMatchbooksAcidsIodineHydrogen PeroxideSodium Hydroxide(Caustic soda; Sodium hydrate; Soda lye; Lye)Solvents and Petroleum DistillatesMore Solvents and Petro DistillatesSaltsFunnels and GlasswareThey Come in all Sizes and ShapesHeat SourcespH Testing SuppliesA Common Thread?Catchin’ the Crap Before it Hits the SewerWaste Management ProblemsWho Do I Call?Portions of this presentation were derived from information collected from the following…QUESTIONS?