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South Dakotans spend
a lot of time outside – working the fields, hunting, fishing, and cleaning
up roadways in the Ditch Walk program. Unfortunately, Meth cooks spend a
lot of time in the same places – fields, woods, rural roads and isolated
farm areas. Rural
communities are a favored location for manufacturing Meth.
Clandestine lab operators are able to produce more Meth with less fear of
incarceration because of the lower population density of our rural
communities.
Once a potential
Meth cook has the needed equipment and ingredients, all it takes to set up
shop is a bit of privacy and some time. Many cooks will set up
their equipment in remote fields to brew a batch of the drug. These
suppliers have no difficulty nor hesitation in creating a lab anywhere
they feel they will not be detected.
When they are done, they fade away - leaving behind a toxic mess.
The chemicals involved pollute soil and groundwater, poison game and fish.
The litter left behind will be saturated with hazardous residue.
There is a high risk of explosions and fires both during and after the
process. Cooking a single pound of Meth will leave five to six
pounds of toxic residue - threatening the environment and wildlife for
years.
Before you venture
out to enjoy the great outdoors, learn how to keep yourself, your family,
friends, pets and hunting dogs safe from toxic Meth waste and potentially
dangerous Meth cooks.
What to Look for:
Be aware
of combinations of these items or
large amounts of
them.
ð
Propane tanks - may be filled with anhydrous ammonia ( brass
fittings will turn blue)
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Paint thinner
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Camp stove fuel
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Book matches
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Drain cleaner
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Engine starter
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Lantern fuel
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Acetone
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Gas cans or bottles with a hose attached
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Coffee filters, paper towels, cheesecloth, other material with
reddish-orange stains
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Red Devil lye
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Muriatic Acid
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Cold tablets (ephedrine/pseudoephedrine)
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Iodine crystals
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Heet
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Lighter fluid
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Epsom Salts
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Batteries, battery acid
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Lithium or common batteries, broken or opened
If you find two or more of these items, you may have found evidence of a nearby or mobile Meth lab.
These items should not be handled and should be left where they are
found. Mark the location and contact authorities so they can properly
assess the evidence.
What to Do:
Use extreme caution
Do
not approach
or confront
any individuals in the area. They may be paranoid or violent if they are
high on Meth or if they are in the process of making the drug.
Do
not touch or smell
any of the
substances at the site. Meth ingredients are highly toxic and may be
absorbed through your skin during even the most casual contact.
Contact
local law enforcement or the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department
- TIPS Hotline
1-888-OVERBAG (683-7224). Be prepared to report the location
and any details you can remember about the site.
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