Identifying an Illegal or Clandestine Drug Lab

Identifying an Illegal Drug Lab

Four types of clandestine labs have been found in Indiana;  meth, fentanyl, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and butane honey oil.

What is a meth lab?

• Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive stimulant that affects the central nervous system.
• Abnormal amounts of chemical products such as drain cleaner, cold packs, pseudoephedrine tablets, or lithium batteries.
• Strong or irritating pungent odors (Ammonia/Solvents).
• Distinctive trash such as pseudoephedrine "bubble" packaging, battery casings from disassembled lithium batteries, and HCL generators (plastic bottles with tubing).
• Containers altered from their original use, i.e.,  gas tanks (like the kind attached to a grill) with retrofitted valves.
• Spent one pot reactions with different powders, liquids, and pieces inside disposable containers, i.e., plastic drink bottles.

What is a fentanyl lab?

• Fentanyl is a white powder and looks very similar to methamphetamine.  It is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.  It only takes a small amount to be lethal.
• Containers altered from their original use, i.e.,  blender or stand mixer used to combine fentanyl with other drugs like heroin, or inert substances to increase the amount of product.
• Pill pressing machines often used to create faux prescription opioids.
• Often people do not know what they're buying is fentanyl as the pills are marked as other prescription drugs.

What is a N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) lab?

• Fentanyl is a white powder and looks very similar to methamphetamine.  It is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.  It only takes a small amount to be lethal.
• Containers altered from their original use, i.e.,  blender or stand mixer used to combine fentanyl with other drugs like heroin, or inert substances to increase the amount of product.
• Pill pressing machines often used to create faux prescription opioids.
• Is a molecule that mimics the neurotransmitter serotonin, much like the other classic psychedelics LSD and psilocybin.
• DMT-containing plant such as Mimosa hostilis root bark is mixed with lye/granulated sodium hydroxide, naphtha VM&P or 40-60 petroleum ether to extract the DMT from the root material.
• Synthetic DMT usually comes in the form of a white, crystalline powder. It can be smoked in a pipe, vaporized, injected, or snorted.

What is a Butane Honey Oil lab?
• BHO or shatter or wax is a hash oil concentrate made by using Butane to extract resin with high concentrations of THC from the marijuana plant.
• It has 60% more potency than marijuana and it is smoked.

For more information:

• Indiana Environmental Health Association Common Meth Chemicals Chart
• Indiana State Police Database of Clandestine Lab Addresses: (http://www.in.gov/meth/2371.htm)
• Indiana State Police Photos of Meth Labs: http://www.in.gov/meth/files/What_does_a_Meth_Lab_Look_Like.pdf
• The National Clandestine Laboratory Register maintained by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides nationwide data of reported illegal drug labs. For details, click on the state of Indiana within the United States map to view the addresses.  Please also note the disclaimer https://www.justice.gov/legalpolicies#disclaimer.
• Report Suspected Meth Activity to the Indiana State Police (ISP): http://www.in.gov/meth/2336.htm
• Meth Tip Line 1-800-453-4756