Transcript Slide 1

AMPHETAMINE
Keeping our Neighborhoods
SAFE!
What is Methamphetamine?
• A drug with immense abuse
potential, methamphetamine
(known on the street as
"speed," "meth," "crank,"
"crystal-meth," and "glass") is
a central nervous system
stimulant of the amphetamine
family. Like cocaine, it is a
powerful "upper" that produces
alertness, and elation, along
with a variety of adverse
reactions. The effects of
methamphetamine, however,
are much longer lasting than
the effects of cocaine.
How is it made?
• The precursor and main ingredient, of Methamphetamine is
ephedrine. This chemical is contained in many legal drugs,
including bronchodilators, like Vick's Inhalant, decongestants, like
Nyquil Nighttime Cold Medications, diet pills, and therapeutic
agents like Dioxin. Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs also
extract pseudoephedrine from easier to obtain, legally produced
over the counter diet pills, decongestants, and bronchodilator, such
as "Mini-Thins,” "MaxAlert,” "Sudafed,” "Pharmacist Value
Suphedrine,” etc.. Which makes the drug much cheaper to make
than cocaine.
How is it made?
• Other legally purchased items which have
been found in Clandestine Labs are Iodine
Crystals, Red Phosphorous, (Sometimes
extracted from matchbooks), Isopropyl
Alcohol, and Red Devil Lye. The
equipment used for manufacturing, is as
simple as having Coleman stoves,
aquariums pumps or swamp cooler
pumps, several pieces of glassware,
rubber tubing, Pyrex dishes, and mason
jars. Cooking time is reduced, from 24 to
36 hours, using the P-2-P method, to as
little as, 4 to 6 hours, using the new cold or
matchbook method.
Where is it made?
• The manufacturing process is usually conducted in but not limited to,
rental properties, apartments, storage sheds, hotel/motels, and
vehicles.
Truck Bed
Home Basement
Outside Shed
While one or two empty bottles in the trash might
indicate normal activity, anything beyond that is a
possible clue of meth-lab activity.
The Danger
• The dangers of these
Clandestine Labs are not only
to the cooks themselves but to
the general public, and law
enforcement. Clandestine
Labs have been responsible
for exposure by poisonous
gases, and some have
resulted in large fires. Loss of
property is estimated in the
millions.
Detecting a Meth-Lab in your
Neighborhood.
Many people may be living next door to a meth-lab and not know it. Some
of the signs that there is a meth lab in operation are obvious and easy to
spot. In fact, you may have noticed them and not realized it. Here are some
of the things to watch for:
•
Unusual strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other
chemicals).
Remember
•
Residences with windows blacked out.
Detecting a Meth-Lab in your
Neighborhood.
• Renters who pay their landlords in cash (most drug dealers deal
exclusively in cash).
• Large amounts of traffic - people coming and going at unusual hours.
There may be little traffic during the day and large amounts at night.
• Excessive trash, including large quantities of: solvent containers,
lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner
containers and duct tape.
Remember
Detecting a Meth-Lab in your
Neighborhood.
• Unusual quantities of clear glass containers being brought into the
home.
• Presence of the following items could also indicate the presence of a
meth-lab:
Alcohol, Ether, Benzene, Toluene/Paint Thinner, Freon, Acetone,
Chloroform, Camp Stove/Coleman Fuel, Starting Fluid, Anhydrous
Ammonia, "Heet", White Gasoline, Phenyl-2-Propane, Phenylacetone,
Phenylpropanolamine, Iodine Crystals, Red Phosphorus, Black Iodine, Lye
(Red Devil Type), Drano, Muriatic/Hydrochloric Acid, Battery/Sulphuric Acid,
Epsom Salts, Lithium Batteries, Sodium Metal, Wooden Matches, Propane
Cylinders, Hot Plates, Ephedrine (over the counter), Cold Tablets,
Bronchodialators, Energy Boosters, Rock Salt and Diet Aids.
Obviously the presence of any of these items is not an
automatic indicator of the presence of a meth-lab. However,
combinations of these items or large quantities of these items
may be a sign.
What can you do?
• Report any suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office
immediately. YOU CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS!
• DO NOT attempt to contact any possible drug user or
dealer. Try to get a description of the vehicle, license
plate number, and a description of the person.
• Be alert to your surroundings, if something “seems”
strange or unusual, then it probably is.
• Know your neighbors; the more you know, the more
insight you will have to what is going on in your
neighborhood.
Who to call?
•
•
•
•
Routine Calls: 390-5555
EMERGENCY: 911
Crime Stoppers: 634-7867
Metro VNI (vice/narcotics): 444-7766