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    What Is in A Meth Lab

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    Claudio Oliveira Tavares
    The document discusses common methods for producing methamphetamine in illegal labs and the impacts of precursor regulation. It describes the main synthetic methods like the red phosphorus, Nazi, one pot, and P2P methods. It outlines the chemicals and processes involved in each. Precursor laws aimed at restricting pseudoephedrine access are discussed, with mixed results seen across states. Proper handling of discovered labs requires contacting local hazardous materials and law enforcement teams for dismantling and disposal.

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    What Is in A Meth Lab

    Uploaded by

    Claudio Oliveira Tavares
    522 views44 pages
    The document discusses common methods for producing methamphetamine in illegal labs and the impacts of precursor regulation. It describes the main synthetic methods like the red phosphorus, Nazi, one pot, and P2P methods. It outlines the chemicals and processes involved in each. Precursor laws aimed at restricting pseudoephedrine access are discussed, with mixed results seen across states. Proper handling of discovered labs requires contacting local hazardous materials and law enforcement teams for dismantling and disposal.

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    What is in a Meth Lab

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    What is in a Meth Lab

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    The document discusses common methods for producing methamphetamine in illegal labs and the impacts of precursor regulation. It describes the main synthetic methods like the red phosphorus, Nazi, one pot, and P2P methods. It outlines the chemicals and processes involved in each. Precursor laws aimed at restricting pseudoephedrine access are discussed, with mixed results seen across states. Proper handling of discovered labs requires contacting local hazardous materials and law enforcement teams for dismantling and disposal.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    522 views44 pages

    What Is in A Meth Lab

    Uploaded by

    Claudio Oliveira Tavares
    The document discusses common methods for producing methamphetamine in illegal labs and the impacts of precursor regulation. It describes the main synthetic methods like the red phosphorus, Nazi, one pot, and P2P methods. It outlines the chemicals and processes involved in each. Precursor laws aimed at restricting pseudoephedrine access are discussed, with mixed results seen across states. Proper handling of discovered labs requires contacting local hazardous materials and law enforcement teams for dismantling and disposal.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    of 44

    What is in a Meth Lab?

    Kurt Kleinschmidt, MD
    Chief of Toxicology
    UT Southwestern
    Medical Center
    Dallas, Texas

    ACMT / BIA
    Meth Lab Working Group
    My Kinda’ Chemistry
    Objectives
    l  Be familiar with the most common synthetic
    methods used in illicit methamphetamine
    manufacture
    l  Describe the impact and consequences of
    precursor regulation
    Common Synthetic Methods

    •  Red Phosphorus / Hydroiodic Acid Reduction


    •  Liquid Ammonia / Alkali Metal Reduction
    (Nazi Method)
    Rapidly becoming the
    •  “One Pot Method” #1 method
    in the US today
    The method that results
    in most of the Meth in
    •  The P2P method
    the US today
    (Made in Mexico)
    6000
    Meth Lab Seizures Reported to
    El Paso Intelligence Center
    5000
    2000-2011
    4000
    S
    e
    i
    z 3000 Nazi labs
    u
    r
    e RedP
    s
    One Pot
    2000

    1000

    0
    1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012
    Year
    General Synthetic Phases

    •  Extraction of ephedrine / pseudoephedrine


    •  The “cook”
    •  Drying
    •  Packaging & distribution
    Sympathomimetic
    NH2

    Phenylethylamine

    NH2
    NH

    OH CH3

    CH3

    Ephedrine
    (Pseudoephedrine)
    NH2

    Phenylethylamine

    NH2
    NH

    HO
    CH3
    OH

    HO

    Epinephrine
    NH2

    CH3

    Amphetamine
    Phenylethylamine

    NH2
    NH

    CH3

    CH3
    Methamphetamine
    Amphetamine
    NH

    CH3

    CH3

    O Methamphetamine

    NH
    O
    CH3

    CH3

    3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
    Methamphetamine
    (MDMA)
    (Binders,
    Coating)

    (or other solvent)

    Folks often don’t isolate


    the pseudoephedrine
    Red P / HI Method
    Chemical Use
    Ephedrine Bronchodilator / Stimulant
    Pseudoephedrine Decongestant
    Red Phosphorus Matchbook Strikers / Flares
    Iodine Crystals Water Purification
    Sodium Hydroxide Drain Cleaner
    Organic Solvent Acetone (Hardware Solvent)
    Ether (Starting Fluid)
    Toluene (Hardware Solvent)
    Acid Gas Salt + various acids
    RED WHITE BLUE
    Red Phosphorus Isolation
    Starting fluid
    (ether) or
    Coleman fuel

    Make
    acid
    gas
    The “Death Bag”
    to capture the phosphine gas

    Photo: North Metro Task Force


    Nazi Method

    l  Germany WW II - Pervitin & Isophan were two of


    the name brand methamphetamine products that
    were used by the military.
    l  In 1940, 35 million tablets were shipped to the
    military between April – July
    l  But when supplies ran short, created a method that
    could be done locally; thus, the The Nazi Method
    l  Note – all countries used meth to varied degrees in
    the military during WW II
    Liquid NH3 / Metal Method
    (Nazi Method)
    Chemical Use
    Ephedrine Bronchodilator/Stimulant
    Pseudoephedrine Decongestant
    Liquid Ammonia Fertilizer
    Lithium Batteries
    Organic Solvent Acetone (Hardware Solvent)
    Ether (Starting Fluid)
    Toluene (Hardware Solvent)
    Acid Gas Salt + various acids
    Get lithium from Is a “Cold Cook” because no heat is needed
    battery (Burns, fire)

    Get A. Ammonia.
    Very caustic

    Make
    acid
    gas
    The ‘Nazi Method’
    The ‘Nazi Method’
    The ‘One Pot’ or
    ‘Shake and Bake’ Method’
    l  Is rapidly becoming the # 1 method
    in the USA to make Meth.
    l  Can do anywhere
    l  Can do while on the move
    l  Only makes small amounts –
    maybe 2-3 grams per “cook”
    l  Product is less pure
    One Pot Method

    l  In a 2-Liter bottle; place pseudoephedrine,


    ammonium nitrate, organic solvent, and lithium
    l  Add a capful of Lye to the bottle.
    l  Add water to the bottle; it will begin to “roll.”
    l  Swirl bottle; don’t shake.
    l  Take cap off every few minutes to release pressure
    (Ammonia release!). Add lye occasionally to keep it
    “rolling”; vent periodically. Repeat for 1-2 hours
    l  Create an acid gas from another bottle to salt out Meth
    l  Filter the fluid; dry out the filtrate, you have your meth
    One Pot Method

    Ammonium Nitrate
    l  Fertilizer
    l  Used to make bombs
    l  Also in the contents of many,
    but not all, cold packs
    One Pot Method
    The P2P Method – the TOTAL # 1

    l  Done in Mexico and most meth is coming


    from Mexico. Partially done because the
    cartels can’t get pseudoephedrine, either
    l  Used to be big in the 1970s and 1980s; done
    by motorcycle gangs and bathtub chemists
    l  Rarely done in the USA.
    l  Does NOT use pseudoepedrine
    l  Is less pure (contains some of the less potent
    version of meth)
    Methamphetamine Movement
    2008-2009
    Nitromethane
    Benzaldehyde or Benzylchloride OR
    Formaldehyde
    +
    Phenylacetic Acid Acetic Anhydride Ammonium Chloride
    OR
    Methyl Iodide
    Phenyl-2-Propanone +
    (Phenyacetone) Hexamine

    RED means agent is DEA Restricted Methylamine


    This was a Meth Lab…
    And this was a Meth Lab…
    And this was a Meth Lab…
    And this was a Meth Lab…
    And this was a Meth Lab…

    http://
    now.msn.com/
    now/0607-meth-
    evacuation
    June 8, 2012
    And this WAS a Meth Lab!

    25% of known Meth-labs were discovered


    because of explosion or fire
    MMWR 2005; 54: 356 – 359.
    Precursor Laws
    l  Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (CMEA) – 2006
    l  Virtually all states have some form of law
    l  Substances may only be sold by a pharmacist/pharmacy
    tech and a log must be signed
    l  Pseudoephedrine - behind counter, To buy ≥18 y/o
    l  Maximum allowed purchase amounts
    l  Responsibility to remain under the limit is
    on the BUYER not the retailer
    Precursor Laws

    l  Oregon and Mississippi require a prescription for the


    purchase of pseudoephedrine
    l  Some states have statewide electronic tracking of
    purchases – including TN, KY, and OK

    Regulation has
    led to ‘smurfing’
    Precursor Laws – Results are Mixed…

    l  Oregon – had 467 seizures in 2004 then 12 in 2009


    l  TN – had 1497 seizures in 2004 then 589 in 2009
    l  KY – Seizures have ↑ since the program started
    l  OK – Seizures ↓ in first 2 years but ↑ since
    l  Meth Lab Seizures (DEA Statistics)
    –  2003 17,356
    –  2007 6,233
    –  2009 10,064 2004 - the final full year
    before implementation of
    the prescription only law
    Lab Clean-up Contacts
    l  Local Fire / Hazardous Materials Law
    enforcement agencies
    –  will contact entities trained in dismantling and
    disposal of lab equipment
    –  may be government or private contractors
    l  DEA (Usually during regular business hours)
    l  If the proper resources cannot be reached,
    the controlling law enforcement agency has
    the responsibility of safely containing the
    area until the arrival of trained personnel
    –  May or may not initiate a hazmat team response
    Summary
    l  Most current synthetic methods involve the
    conversion of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine
    to methamphetamine
    l  Precursor regulation had an impact on the
    number of meth labs in the US
    l  Initial contact should be local law
    enforcement who should contact appropriate
    state, federal and private agencies
    Questions

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