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
