What is a Clan Lab?
A Clandestine Laboratory is an illicit operation that uses a combination of apparatus and chemicals that have been or could be used in the manufacture or synthesis of drugs, and/or controlled substances.
What are the 3 main types of clan labs?
- Extraction
- Conversion
- Synthesis
CLAN LAB INDICATORS - OUTSIDE AND INSIDE *
Outside:
- Rubbish with cold meds or packaging inside
- Windows blackened out
- Bottles, plastic containers and boxes with no labels
- Access denied
- Expensive security gear
- Chemical odour
Inside:
- Containers with two layered liquids in
- Containers with clear liquids in
- Baking dishes with white crystalline substance in it.
- Hot plates near chemicals.
- Used coffee filters
- Lab glass wear
Risk 1 - Chemical hazards
May be inhaled, absorbed or ingested. Includes:
- acids
- bases
- solvents
- poison gas
- organic peroxides
- poisons
Risk 2 - Physical hazards
- armed and/or drug-affected suspects
- explosives
- potential booby traps
- the risk of electric shock
- unsafe building structures
- slip/trip/fall hazards
INITIAL ACTION - UNPLANNED ENTRY *
- immediately remove POI from premises
- isolate site and maintain safety perimeter
- preserve crime scene
- notify duty Inspector, NCLRT and where appropriate local fire service and ambulance.
Safety considerations
- Leave the area immediately
- Never touch, taste or smell any chemicals or equipment.
- Do not attempt to stop the chemical reaction, or turn any electrical devices as may cause an explosion.
- Do not shut off the water supply to the house or the chemical reaction.
- Do not smoke in or near a Clandestine Laboratory.
- Do not use tools, radios, cell phones, torches or devices that produce sparks or friction.
- Do not re-enter the premises.
Symptoms of exposure of chemicals
- headaches
- watery or burning eyes
- nausea
- burning skin
- coughing or choking
- shortness of breath and/or dizziness
Initial action - planned entry - what are the factors to consider ?
- Whether active or inactive
- Number and nature of offender
- Lab location
- Proximity to persons or property
- Type / size of Lab
- Firearms / weapons / booby traps
Safety equipment required
The Minimum level of PPE for IET members is:
- Flame retardant overalls
- Chemical and Flame resistant coveralls
- Boots
- Fire resistant gloves
- Balaclava
- Police SRBA vests
- APR’s with Air filters
IMMEDIATE ACTION AT A SCENE REGARDING CHILD OR YP ? (12 POINTS) *
The O/C Investigation will co-ordinate the:
- Removal of Child or YP from scene
- Assign officer to look after Child or YP
- Explain whats going to happen to Child or YP
- Assessment of Child or YP by Ambo
- Request CYFS attendance
- Give Child or YP PPE and Tyvek Suit or blanket
- Record physical condition of Child or YP
- Record mental state of Child or YP
- Obtain prelim from Child or YP
- Photograph Child or YP at scene and record condition
- Consider securing clothing as exhibit
- Brief social worker
WHAT INFO TO OBTAIN IN A PRELIM WITH A CHILD OR YP? *
- Basic health questions such as: headaches, nausea,
breathing difficulty, dizziness, fatigue etc. - The occupant’s details
- The sleeping arrangements
- The playing and eating area
- The name of their Doctor
- Knowledge of drugs, manufacturing, dealing activities
Section 103 - HSNO Act 1996 - Power of entry
Section 103 - HSNO Act 1996
Any enforcement officer may, at any reasonable time -
- Go on, into, under, and over any premises or
- With the consent of the occupier, go on, into, under, and over a dwelling for the purpose of inspection to—
- Monitor in any premises where a hazardous substance or new organism approved under this Act is located or
- Determine the nature of any substance or organism in the premises or
- Determine whether or not any person is complying with a compliance order.
Section 135 - HSNO Act 1996 (define emergency)
Section 135 - HSNO Act 1996
Emergency means:
(a) - actual or imminent danger to human health or safety
(b) - a danger to the environment or chattels so significant that immediate action is required to remove the danger
Section 136 - HSNO Act 1996 - declaration of emergency
Section 136 - HSNO Act 1996
Where any enforcement officer has RGTB that—
(a) There is an emergency; and/or
(i) no state of emergency has been declared under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, under the Fire Service Act 1975 or under section 144 of the Biosecurity Act 1993
Powers of Section 136 - HSNO Act 1996
- ENTER any premises or dwelling
- REMOVE the cause of the emergency
- STABILISE the situation
- PROTECT the health and safety of people
Section 137 - HSNO Act 1996 - Emergency Powers
- ENTER any premise
- EXERCISE any of powers of the Act
- REQUEST any person to take any action to prevent or limit emergency
- DIRECT any person to:
leave, not enter and stop any activity. - DESTROY any property in order to prevent emergency
- SECURE site for up to 24 hours
Materials and equipment associated with clan labs
- pH test strips
- Hydrochloric acid
- red phosphorus
- toluene
- baking dish
- par bombs
WHO CAN CALL LANDSLIDE IN A CLAN LAB *
Any member of the initial entry team
WHAT IS THE 90 SECOND RULE? *
If offenders are present and moving inside the Lab then the atmosphere will sustain life. It assumes that if you are wearing minimum level of PPE you may safely enter and extract suspects for a period of up to 90 seconds.
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Importing / Exporting19
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Controlled Drugs7
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Produce / Manufacture9
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Supply Class A or B14
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Supplies Class C to Person Under 184
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Sell Class C to Person Over 184
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Possession for Supply10
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Conspiring to Deal2
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Equipment / Precursors8
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Misc Offences5
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Controlled Deliveries18
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Emergency Powers10
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Prosecution Procedure14
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Clan Labs20
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Electronic Operations20
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Internal Concealment2
