GILBERTOWN — Many people may be unaware that they’re living next door or in the same community as a meth lab. Here are some things to look for that may be a tip-off to the presence of such illegal drug activity in your neighborhood:
n Unusual, strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, fingernail polish remover, acetone or other chemicals).
nResidenceswith windows blacked out, boarded up or with curtains or blinds continually closed.
*> Renters who pay their landlords in cash. (Most drug dealers trade exclusively in cash.)
*> Lots of traffic — people coming and going at unusual times. There may be little traffic during the day, but at night the activity increases dramatically.
*> Excessive trash including large amounts of items such as antifreeze jugs, lantern fuel cans, red chemically-stained coffee filters, drain cleaner bottles, over-the-counter cold medicine boxes, and duct tape.
n Unusual amounts of glass or plastic containers being brought into the home.
*> Presence of the following items in quantity could also indicate the existence of a meth lab:
Acetone
Alcohol
Anhydrous ammonia (found in agricultural fertilizers)
Batteries (source of Lithium)
Battery acid (sulfuric acid)
Bed sheets or white towels for straining
Benzene
Black iodine
Bronchodilators
Camp stoves and fuel (such as Coleman®, butane, etc.)
Candles
Chloroform
Coffee filters
Coffeepots, glass flasks
Denatured alcohol
Diet pills
Drano® or other forms of drain cleaners/openers
Duct tape
Energy boosters
Ephedrine (found in some diet aids)
Epsom salts
Ether
Fertilizer (with high ammonia content)
Fireworks (in large quantities)
Foam coolers
Freon®
Glass or plastic bottles or jars
Heet®
Hot plates
Hydriodic acid (used in disinfectants)
Hydrogen chloride gas
Iodine crystals
Kitty litter
Lye (Red Devil Lye®)
Muriatic or hydrochloric acid
Phenyl-2-propane
Phenylacetone
Phenylpropanolamine
Propane cylinders/tanks
Pseudoephedrine (sinus decongestant, found in many over-the-counter cold medications)
Red phosphorous (used in fireworks and matchbook strike pads)
Respirator masks
Rock salt
Rubber gloves
Rubber tubing (such as used with aquarium air pumps)
Sodium/salt
Starting fluid (in aerosol cans)
Toluene (paint thinner)
White gasoline
Wooden matches
If you suspect the presence of a meth lab in your community, contact Sheriff James Lovette at 205-459-2166, the Drug Task Force at 251-246-7400, or DA Investigator Donald Lolley at 251-275-3144.