CLANDESTINE LABS

 

Impounding Officer procedure Evidence Officer procedure Disposal

 

 

Clandestine drug laboratories range from crude makeshift operations to sophisticated and technologically complex facilities. They can be set up anywhere and are often found in private residences, hotel and motel rooms, trailers, barns and outbuildings, and commercial buildings. At these locations sophisticated surveillance equipment and booby-traps may be set up to discourage  intruders and law enforcement personnel from entering.  If an investigator reasonably believes they have discovered a drug laboratory, supplies, or equipment, they should notify a supervisor before taking any action. 

 

Extreme care and caution should be exercised whenever investigating or processing a clandestine drug lab site. The chemicals and substances used in the manufacturing process can be caustic, explosive, carcinogenic, poisonous, irritating, and flammable. Laboratory and law enforcement personnel participating in clandestine drug laboratory investigations should have specialized training in the use of protective equipment and the appropriate health and safety procedures.

 

The processing of clandestine drug laboratories also involves the sampling, removal, and proper disposal of hazardous toxic chemicals. The transportation and disposal of these chemicals is regulated by state and federal environmental protection agencies.

 

When a clandestine drug laboratory, supplies, or equipment, is encountered unexpectedly,  the on-duty sergeant will likely instruct on scene personnel to  secure the scene, prevent  unauthorized or unnecessary entry, and will contact the Westside Interagency Narcotics (WIN) Team.  WIN personnel will determine whether additional response teams are needed to process clandestine laboratories.

 

IMPOUNDING OFFICER PROCEDURES

Only members of the WIN team or other special response teams will process or impound drug laboratory, supplies, or equipment for testing.  Do not bring chemicals into the Sheriff’s Office.

 

WIN TEAM OFFICER PROCEDURES

  1. ONLY SAMPLES of those chemicals to be submitted to the Crime Lab for analysis will be accepted.

  2. Seal samples into leak-proof container(s).  If the original container is not leak-proof, transfer the contents to an appropriate container.  The original container should be submitted with an explanation.  Use a different item number for the container.

  3. Place sealed leak-proof container into a bucket filled with kitty litter and seal it with the supplied lid.

  4. Place red evidence tape over lid, and down the sides.

  5. Initial and date over the tape.

  6. Place the sealed bucket into a large evidence locker at the Sheriff’s Office headquarters.  Evidence officers will not transport the chemical from East Precinct.  Note the location on the property receipt.

  7. Complete a Forensic Services Request and place into basket at Evidence area.

  8. If notes or recipes are seized, submit to the lab with the chemical samples.

  9. Complete the yellow and green copy of the property-evidence report and place into basket in the Evidence Processing Room.

 

EVIDENCE OFFICER PROCEDURES

STORAGE:

  1. Ensure proper packaging; refer to the example board in the evidence processing areas.

  2. Place one barcode on the item and the corresponding barcode on the property receipt.

  3. All buckets submitted by the WIN Team are to be stored in the area of WC-3 that is designated for hazardous material storage.

 

DISPOSAL:

  1. Upon authorization or disposition of the case:

  1. Barcode the item with a location change to Destruction Box. 

  2. Place the item in the area of WC-3 that is designated for items awaiting destruction. 

  3. At least biannually, or more often with the approval of the Investigations Division Commander, evidence officers will contact an approved disposal facility to dispense of all items in the WC-3 pending destruction area. Items will be accounted for with at least two persons present, including one person who works outside of the Investigations Division as appointed by the Professional Standards Unit.

  1. Whenever a discrepancy is discovered between the database inventory and the items produced for destruction, the evidence officer will immediately contact the supervisor of the property evidence unit for direction. 

  2. Upon destruction, evidence officers will immediately update the evidence tracking database and the property-evidence receipt to confirm the item has been destroyed. 

 

 

Revised 11/05/03