Meth lab...no longer there

[TANKMGA8]

Okay, first off I want to say that this is proof that Mods don't know everything on this board (or at least this one doesn't). I did not know where else to post this.

On Monday I found my first Meth lab while arresting an absconder from Texas. I walked in and as I was handcuffing him I started looking around and saw a few items that made me think, what is going on here? As I had not checked the rest of the residence I walked through and found enough to evac the house and detain the other adult in the house. Called the Det. and had him look it over.

After getting a search warrant we sent a lab team in and it turned out to be a good bust. It was a small lab, but it was in the middle of town and it made the front page of the paper. I have been happy that I found it, especially considering the fact that I was just recently moved to day shift (we work perm shifts) and did not want to go. This was the fifth day I had been on day shift and it is the first lab we have found in the city in over two years. I asked the captain if this meant that I could go back to swings, but he said no, just my luck.

I had to tell somebody and my wife is tired of hearing about it. I had just about given up on finding anything like this, especially since I went to day shift. My SGT said that it just goes to show you that things happen on day shift too. I told him plenty happens, but I already knew how to fill out accident reports, hehe.

If somebody thinks this needs moved, go ahead and move it.

[K9 Police]

I can understand your frustration with day shift. I was finally on my own for my first month on third shift and then they decided to throw me to days with all the veterans. There was a heck a lot more to do on thirds than now. I am just happy that they are putting me back on thirds at the end of the month. Getting up at 5am everyday is way too early!!

K9

[sigy]

TANKMGA8, I too just found my first meth lab on day shift! It was a pretty sizeable operation. You definitely can find some interesting stuff during the day if you look hard enough. We are actually pretty busy on days.


Sigy:destroy:

[LeeRoy]

Good job! The same things and the same types of urchins are out during the day (typically after 11:00am :) ). They're just a little harder to find because of all the other normal traffic out there. Keep turning over rocks and you'll find more.

I'm curious what kind of lab you had there. Are they doing Red Phosphorous/Iodine or Anhydrous Amonia & Lithium?

I've never seen anything other than Red Phos labs but those are few and far between compared to a couple of years ago. These days the chem's are so hard to come by around here its easier to just deal a little dope on the side to support your habit rather than trying to make your own.

[sigy]

LeeRoy, As far as mine, I'm not really sure what type of meth lab we had. Basically once we found the equipment, we froze the scene and waited for the CNET guys to get there as well as the DEA. I'll ask my FTO if he knows.


Sigy:destroy:

[dmclark]

I too got my first lab on a fugitive arrest. We took the door and the guy was hiding in the bathroom. As we got him out, the bathroom door was obscuring the toilet area, so I gave it a quick clear. The entire "baby lab" operation was sitting on top of the toilet tank, with reactor vessels in the bathtub. It wasn't cooking at that time, but had alot of residue on the glassware, etc.

That was sometime ago and an old P2P operation. Thanks for the memories!!

[kels]

They are cookin 24/7.
Just because your on day shift doesnt mean it is there.
Congrats on your lab, NOW you get to go to court........

[Raven231]

I have yet to find a lab in a regular home. The 2 I have found have been in Motel/Hotel and have been reported as a nasty smell coming from other rooms.

Usually the Fire Dept. gets paged out and we respond to their call as a precaution for evac or to assist with traffic.

Raven231

[kels]

During the daytime they are also buying/stealing the cold capsules, ether, annhydrous ammonia, etc.
Always look in the back seat. Most people dont need 15 boxes of cold tablets. Saw a case made by keeping ones eyes open.

[sigy]

kels, I'll definitely be on the lookout for that. Being so new it's hard to know what to look for sometimes. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. We have lots of problems with heroin and Meth in our county. The more familiar I can become with those drugs, the better I can deal with them.


Sigy:destroy:

[Raven231]

Good thing around here is we have done some good PR work with the grocery, drug and wal-mart stores so if anyone comes in buying large amounts of certain items they call us right away.

Raven231

[TANKMGA8]

We have done an alright job on the cold tablets. Everybody but the convenience stores have pulled them behind the counters and there is some sort of limit to how many they can get. We also have talked to the places about Iodine, it is sold in gallon jugs around here and when somebody buys one or more the store calls us with their information.

This lab was a Red P and Iodine lab, although we have alot of the Anhydrous Amonia labs around here as well. This is a farm and ranch community, so there are ample chances for them to steal the stuff.

I have gotten used to the day shift somewhat, but am ready to go back to swings, to bad the department isn't ready yet, haha.

Now to court tomorrow on the lab, I'll let you guys know how it goes.

[krellum]

We just had a class on meth labs: they're starting to pop up on boats here in AK because they can dump their debris so easily - it was surely an eye-opener.

k

[kels]

One other thought. Be safe.
If you find a lab. Get the people out and secure
the scene.
Try not to put the people in your car till they have been
cleaned up. (if possible)
Do not go poking around in a lab.
Some of it is boobytrapped or can be ignited easily (ether)
DO NOT SMOKE (no brainer huh?) near the lab.
Make sure to clean up BEFORE you go home.
Might start carrying an extra pair of coveralls.
You dont want to take this stuff home and
spread it around your family.
Be safe