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E.P.P. 054 LONGWOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT ENFORCEMENT POLICY & PROCEDURE NUMBER: EPP – 54 SUBJECT: CLANDESTINE LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 30, 2013 REVISED: OCTOBER 1, 2023 ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CLANDESTINE LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION EPP – 54 Page 1 of 5 I. PURPOSE The purpose of this enforcement policy and procedure is to provide guidance for employees who encounter stationary or mobile methamphetamine laboratories and to establish procedures for the safe investigation of laboratory crime scenes. II. POLICY Beyond initial discovery by Longwood Police Department personnel, responsibility for the investigation of suspected methamphetamine laboratories is delegated to the City/County Investigative Bureau, (C.C.I.B.), and to the Drug Enforcement Administration, (D.E.A.). When a suspected laboratory is discovered, employees must immediately secure the scene and notify the patrol supervisor. The patrol supervisor must ensure the on-duty C.C.I.B. agent is notified. The patrol supervisor must also ensure all personnel discontinue any investigation inside the scene and they do not attempt to collect, clean up, or dispose of any substance located in or near the laboratory. The Longwood Police Department abides by the regulations and requirements of the statewide clean-up program for methamphetamine related items and clandestine labs, which is governed by the D.E.A. Under no circumstances will employees touch or smell anything, disrupt any chemical reaction, or turn the power on or off within the area of the lab. C.C.I.B. must be summoned after securing the scene. C.C.I.B. personnel will coordinate the response of D.E.A. personnel. III. DEFINITIONS Clandestine lab – An illicit operation consisting of sufficient chemicals, or combination of apparatus and chemicals which has been, or could be, used in the manufacture of controlled substances. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CLANDESTINE LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION EPP – 54 Page 2 of 5 P2P Lab (Phenyl-2-Propanone) Method – The principal chemicals associated with this method are phenyl-2-propanone, aluminum, methylamine, and mercuric acid. This method yields lower quality DL-Methamphetamine and has been associated with various motorcycle gangs. Red Phosphorous or Red P Method – This is the most common method used by Mexican “super-labs” to produce large quantities of high quality methamphetamine. This method uses red phosphorous, pseudo-ephedrine or ephedrine, and chemicals such as iodine, lye and sulfuric acid. In smaller labs, the red phosphorous is usually extracted from match tips or flare striker plates in alcohol and water. Birch or Nazi Method (Anhydrous Ammonia Lab) – A highly efficient method first used in Germany during World War II to foster alertness in troops, and is the most common method of methamphetamine production. This method is preferred because it does not require an extensive knowledge of chemistry and it is faster than other methods. The methamphetamine maker begins a chemical reaction by adding lithium strips extracted from batteries as well as anhydrous ammonia to chemically reduce pseudo-ephedrine. Starter fluid and drain cleaners are also used in the process. In less than an hour, multiple ounce quantities of 90% pure methamphetamine are produced. Methamphetamine – A highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that can be injected, smoked, or ingested. Common street names for methamphetamine include Meth, Crank, Crystal Meth, Speed, and Ice. Clandestine Lab – Any facility such as a house, motel room, vehicle, storage shed, etc. used to combine chemicals to produce a controlled substance. Pseudo-ephedrine – A precursor chemical used in the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine. Amphetamines – Central nervous stimulant designed to suppress appetite and increase energy levels. IV. PROCEDURES A. Recognizing and Identifying Clandestine Labs 1. A laboratory used to manufacture methamphetamine may be set up in a residential kitchen, outside shed, inside the trunk of a vehicle, inside a van or trailer, or in any other similar location. Production of methamphetamine may be attempted in containers such as ice coolers or other similar containers. ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CLANDESTINE LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION EPP – 54 Page 3 of 5 2. When entering unknown structures or stopping vehicles, employees should look for the following items which may be used in the manufacture of methamphetamines: a. Chemicals: Toluene (brake cleaner) Ether (engine starter) Sulfuric Acid (drain cleaner) Methanol (gasoline additive/HEET) Trichloroethane (gun scrubber) Anhydrous Ammonia (farm fertilizer) Ephedrine (cold tablets) Pseudo-Ephedrine (cold tablets) Iodine (veterinarian products) Sodium Metal (made from lye) MSM (animal food supplement) Table salt/Rock salt Kerosene Gasoline Muriatic Acid Campfire fuel Paint thinner Acetone Alcohol (rubbing/gasoline additive, isopropyl or denatured) Lithium (camera batteries or empty battery casings) Sodium Hydroxide (lye, Drano, Red Devil Lye) Red Phosphorous (large quantities of matches or flare igniters) b. Household Equipment: Tempered glass baking dishes Glass pie dishes Glass and/or plastic jugs Bottles (plastic 2 liter) Measuring cups Turkey baster Glass jars/Mason jars Peroxide Funnels Coffee filters Blender Rubber tubing Paper towels Rubber gloves Gasoline cans Plastic tote box (cooler) Tape Clamps Hot plate Strainer Aluminum foil Propane cylinder (20 lb.) Clear tubing (such as used in aquariums, duct taped to the jars or plastic jugs) 3. Employees must use caution when approaching houses, vehicles, or other facilities if any of these items have been observed. Employees must be careful not to dismiss construction vehicles since many may contain these ordinary household items. If a house, vehicle, or other facility is suspect in the manufacture of methamphetamine, it will generally be in conjunction with other items or containers commonly used to store chemicals during the production (cooking) process. Many ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CLANDESTINE LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION EPP – 54 Page 4 of 5 chemicals and products used to manufacture methamphetamines are highly caustic and flammable. Vapors alone can cause serious injury. B. Initial Response 1. Officer Responsibilities - When a clandestine lab is believed to have been located, or chemical substances related to it discovered, the officer will immediately: a. Remove themselves and other persons from the immediate area of the suspected lab or chemicals (using caution if other persons or suspects are present), b. Secure the scene with crime scene tape (including the area around the structure or vehicle) and permit no one to enter the scene until trained C.C.I.B. or D.E.A. personnel arrive and determine it is safe to do so, c. Advise the patrol supervisor of the situation, d. Establish a perimeter between 50 – 100 feet to ensure proper safety and security, e. Notify the fire department and ask them to stand by outside the perimeter. Note: Under no circumstances will employees intentionally touch or smell anything, even if it is believed safe to do so. Employees will not attempt to process the scene. C.C.I.B. personnel will be notified, and the D.E.A. should be notified by C.C.I.B. 2. Supervisor Responsibilities - When notified of a clandestine laboratory (or related items) the patrol supervisor will: a. Ensure the scene is properly protected, b. Have the telecommunications section contact on-duty C.C.I.B. personnel, c. Request C.C.I.B. personnel have a certified lab agent respond to investigate the scene and determine appropriate action, d. Evaluate the lab’s proximity to other occupied buildings or homes and determine if an evacuation is necessary, ENFORCEMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE CLANDESTINE LABORATORY IDENTIFICATION EPP – 54 Page 5 of 5 e. Once notifications are completed, ensure security of the scene until C.C.I.B. or D.E.A. personnel arrive and assume responsibility.