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Can You Spot A Meth Lab?

Many people may be living next door to a meth lab and not know it. Some of the signs that there is a meth lab in operation are obvious and easy to spot. In fact, you may have noticed them and not realized it. Here are some of the things to watch for:

• Unusual strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals).
• Residences with windows blacked out.
• Renters who pay their landlords in cash (most drug dealers deal exclusively in cash).
• Large amounts of traffic - people coming and going at unusual hours. There may be little traffic during the day and large amounts at night.
• Excessive trash, including large quantities of: antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner containers and duct tape.
• Unusual quantities of clear glass containers being brought into the home.
• Presence of the following items could also indicate the presence of a meth lab:

  Alcohol Ether Benzene Toluene/Paint Thinner Freon Acetone Chloroform Camp Stove/Coleman Fuel Starting Fluid Anhydrous Ammonia "Heet" White Gasoline Phenyl-2-Propane Phenylacetone Phenylpropanolamine Iodine Crystals Red Phosphorus Black Iodine

  Lye (Red Devil Type) Drano Muriatic/Hydrochloric Acid Battery/Sulphuric Acid Epsom Salts Lithium Batteries Sodium Metal Wooden Matches Propane Cylinders Hot Plates Ephedrine (over the counter) Cold Tablets Bronchodialators Energy Boosters Rock Salt and Diet Aids.

  Obviously the presence of any of these items is not an automatic indicator of the presence of a meth lab. However, combinations of these items or large quantities of these items may be a sign.

If you suspect a meth lab in your neighborhood, call the Richmond Police Department Tip Line @ 859-623-1714.