Clan Labs Flashcards
Three types of clan labs
– Extraction
– conversion
– Synthesis
Extraction Method
Finished drug or precursor is removed from raw (possibly plant) material by use of chemical solvents.
Examples include:
- morphine from opium
- hashish or hash oil from cannabis leaf
- pseudoephedrine from pharmaceutical preparations
Conversion Method
One form of a drug is changed into a more desirable form,
Examples include:
- cocaine hydrochloride to ‘crack’
- Methamphetamine hydrochloride to ‘Ice’
Synthesis Method
Raw materials are combined through chemical process to produce the desired drug. The original materials may already be controlled substances.
Examples include:
- Methamphetamine from pseudoephedrine
- heroin from morphine
Signs of a clan lab - outside
Outside
– Access denied to landlords, neighbours, other visitors
– bottles, plastic containers and boxes with labels removed
– Chemical odours coming from the building, rubbish or detached buildings. The odours can be sweet, bitter, ammonia, or solvent smells
– Exhaust fans running at all times
– Expensive security and surveillance gear
– Frequent visitors at all hours
– Occupants friendly, appear secretive about their activities, exhibit paranoid or odd behaviour
– People coming outside only to smoke
– Rubbish containing a large amount of cold medication containers or packaging
– Windows blackened out or curtains always drawn
Signs of a Clan Lab - Inside
- baking dishes or similar containing a white crystalline
- Containers with two layered liquids in them, one darker coloured layer and one clear or pale yellow layer
- Container with clear liquids in them with a chalky coloured solid on the bottom or similar
- Heating element near chemicals
- Laboratory Glassware, equipment and documents
- Used coffee filters containing either a white pasty or reddish brown substance
Immediate action at the scene – CYF
The O/C Investigation will co-ordinate:
- Remove the CYP from the immediate scene
- Assigning an officer to look after and monitor the CYP. The officer will make themselves known to the social worker when they arrive at the scene.
- Provision of age appropriate explanations to the CYP about what is going to happen to them i.e. the need to use special clothing.
- Assessment of the CYP by ambulance staff for injury, illness or respiratory distress. If medical treatment is necessary, this may take priority of the decontamination requirements. O/C Investigation must ensure that the medical facility is notified of the contamination prior to admission.
- Request for CYFS attendance at the scene
- Distributing suitable personal protection equipment to CYFS employees together with a ‘decontamination kit for the CYP’ for each CYP.
- Placing the CYP in a Tyvek suit or having them wrapped in a blanket. This must be done before handover to CYFS.
- The most appropriate decontamination for the CYP
- Photographing the CYP at the scene
- Recording of the physical condition of the CYP, including any injuries.
- Recording the mental state of the CYP
- Consider securing the clothing worn by the CYP as an exhibit.
- Conduct a preliminary interview with the CYP
What are the two types of Hazards?
- Chemical Hazard
- Physical Hazards
Chemical Hazards - explanation and examples
Chemicals may be inhaled, absorbed or ingested. Examples include acids, bases, solvents or poison gases.
Chemical hazards also provide a danger of fire and explosion. Examples include explosive gas, flammable gas, compresses gas and flammable liquids.
Physical Hazard examples
- Armed and/or drug-affected suspect
- Explosives
- Potential booby-traps
- Risk of electric shock
- Unsafe building structures
Planned entry considerations
The manner of entry will depend on the nature of the intelligence factors such as:
- Firearms / weapons / booby traps
- location of lab
- Number and nature of offenders or others present in the lab
- Proximity to persons or property
- Type/size of lab
- Whether it is an active or inactive lab
Initial action for unplanned entry to a clan lab
– Immediately remove persons of interest from the premises
– Isolate the site and maintain a safety perimeter
– Preserve the crime scene
– Notify the duty inspector or duty NCO, contact NCLRT and where appropriate the fire service and an ambulance
– Seek advice from a NCLRT member or the fire service about decontamination procedures
– Occupants of the address and staff who have entered the address are to remain separated until decontamination issues have been addressed
– Seek medical advice if you experience any adverse effects
Planned Entry Into Suspected Clan Lab
Illicit drug-manufacturing poses multiple health and safety concerns. At all clandestine laboratory scenes, safety considerations must always outweigh evidential considerations. Planning an entry to a clan lab will reduce the risk.
Symptoms from exposure to clan labs
– Burning skin
– coughing or choking
– headaches
– nausea
– watery or burning eyes
Minimum level of Personal Protective Equipment
- Air Purifying Respirators with air filters
- Balaclava
- Boots
- Chemical and flame resistant coveralls
- Fire resistant gloves
- Flame retardant overalls
- Police SRBA vest
Safety considerations
– Leave the area immediately, your safety is paramount
– Do not re-enter the premises
– Do not attempt to stop the chemical reaction, will turn any electrical devices off. This may cause an explosion
– Do not shut off the water supply
– Do not smoke in or near clan lab
– Do not use tools, radios, cell phones or anything that produces sparks or friction
– Never touch, taste, or smell any chemicals or equipment
90 second rule
This rule assumes that if the offenders are present and moving inside the Laboratory then the atmosphere will sustain life. It assumes that the Initial Entry Team (wearing the minimum level of Personal Protection Equipment) may safely enter and extract suspects for a period of up to 90 seconds
Preliminary interview with CYP
– Basic health questions such as headache, nausea, breathing difficulties
– Details of other siblings or CYPs at the address
– Knowledge of drugs, manufacturing, dealing activities
– Name of CYPs doctor
– Occupant details
– Playing and eating areas
– School or preschool details
– Sleeping arrangements
Definition of emergency
Section 135, Hazardous Substance and New Organisms Act 1996
Emergency means –
(a) Actual or imminent danger to human health or safety; or
(b) A danger to the environment or chattels so significant that immediate action is required to remove the danger
When entering a clan lab, the immediate priority for the initial entry team is..
- Ensuring their own safety
- Protecting other team members
- Protecting the community and the environment
- Removing offenders from the lan
Recommended Police to Offender ratio
A minimum of 2 Police officers for each offender/suspect during an initial entry
