Methamphetamine laboratories

Knops, L. A., Northrop, D. M., and Person, L. C. (2006). Capillary electrophoretic analysis of phosphorous species in clandestine methamphetamine laboratory samples. J. Forensic Sci. 51, 82—86. 

Taking North America as a whole, the declines in the USA were partly offset by rising production in a few super-labs in Mexico. The number of methamphetamine laboratories dismantled in Mexico rose from 10 in 2002 to 18 in 2004 and 34 in 2005. Until recently pseudo-ephedrine and ephedrine were fairly readily available in the country. The Mexican authorities, however, have recently taken measures to counter the diversion of the two chemicals. These efforts reduced the import of ephedrine and pseudo-ephedrine by 40 per cent in 2005 (to 133 mt), with a further reduction of almost 50 per cent (to about 70 mt) expected for 2006.13... 

In 2006, the Australian authorities seized over 90 kg of ephedrine, 160 kg of pseudoephedrine and smaller amounts of norephedrine. Most of the seized ephedrine had originated in China, Malaysia and South Africa, while 60 per cent of the seized pseudoephedrine had originated in Indonesia. Seized cold and flu medications containing pseudoephedrine originated in pharmacies or had been obtained through theft or armed robbery. The situation of precursor trafficking in New Zealand remained similar to 2005 over 200 kg of raw pseudoephedrine from Asia were seized, all in the form of pharmaceutical preparations, intended for use by illicit methamphetamine laboratories in the country. 

April). Acute public health consequences of methamphetamine laboratories— 16 states, January 2000-Junc 2004. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 54, 356—359. 

Methamphetamine laboratories are by the far the most common type of illegal drug laboratories in the United States today. Two-thirds of all the meth in the United States is created in labs found in Mexico and southern California. The rest of the illegal meth is made in small labs set up in kitchens, garages, vacant buildings, and even the trunks of cars. Meth is relatively easy to produce using common chemicals—including cold and asthma medicines—that can be obtained over the counter. 

Burgess JL Phosphine exposure from a methamphetamine laboratory investigation. J Toxicol ain Tox/co/2001 39(2) 165-168. [PMID 11407503] (Case report.)... 

Expect to find the following in a red phosphorous methamphetamine laboratory Flammable solvents, acetone, toluene, etc. These would usually be in labeled solvent cans. 

Ammonia Methamphetamine Laboratory using Nazi or Birch Method... 

Expect to find the following in an ammonia methamphetamine laboratory using the Nazi or Birch Method ... 

Until the last 10-20 years, domestic clandestine methamphetamine laboratories employed P2P, a common and versatile solvent with many legitimate uses. It and related compounds have also potent smells that can betray the location of a clandestine facility. The most common P2P synthesis is based on the Leuckart reaction, in which nucleophilic nitrogen attacks a carbonyl carbon, forming an intermediate that is reduced to methamphetamine or amphetamine... 

In response to the widespread clandestine synthesis of methamphetamine by this method, the DBA added P2P to Schedule II of the controlled substances list as part of the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act (CDTA) of 1988. The legislation was aimed at impeding clandestine laboratories by cutting off the necessary precursors for methamphetamine as well as other drugs. The act also placed controls on some of the equipment needed for making drugs. For a few years, the number of methamphetamine laboratories that were seized decreased, but the decrease was short lived. Clandestine operations... 

Allen, A., and T. Cantrell. "Synthetic Reductions in Clandestine Amphetamine and Methamphetamine Laboratories—a Review." Forensic Science International, 421989, 183-199. 

US Environmental Protection Agency, (USEPA). 2009b. U.S. EPA voluntary guidelines for methamphetamine laboratory cleanup. Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response 2009b. 

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