18-04 Clandestine Laboratory Operations

Study Notes

Clandestine Laboratory Operations

A Clandestine Laboratory (Lab) is an illicit operation that manufactures, cultivates, or synthesizes controlled substances, explosives, or biological/chemical weapons.
Exposure to a Lab can cause death, disease, or physical injuries due to hazardous chemicals and substances.

General Guidelines

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department prioritizes member safety when dealing with Lab operations.
Maximum effort will be made to provide members with information on Labs and necessary precautions.
The Communications Unit Supervisor should be notified whenever a Lab is suspected.
The Metro Meth Section should be contacted 24/7 for Lab-related information.

Operations Procedures

Initial safety actions at a Lab scene:
- Do not enter or re-enter the scene after initial discovery.
- Evacuate at the first sign of potential danger or exposure.
- Follow procedures for explosive device calls.
- Request a supervisor to respond.
- Secure the area and establish a controlled entry/exit location.
When encountering a suspected Lab:
- Be attentive to items in plain view.
- Check for exterior indicators of an internal Lab.
- Be cautious of concealed traps.
- Ensure no one enters the premises.
- Provide medical attention, if necessary.

Suspected Lab - Call for Service/Residence Check

If a member suspects a Lab during a call-for-service or residence check:
- Follow initial safety actions.
- Be attentive to items in plain view.
- Check for exterior indicators of an internal Lab.
- Ensure no one enters the premises.
- Provide medical attention, if necessary.

Suspected Lab - Traffic Stop/Car Check

If a member encounters a Lab during a traffic stop or car check:
- Remove self and occupants from the vehicle.
- Detain the occupants.
- Do not move the vehicle or touch anything inside.
- Divert traffic around the vehicle.
- Be aware of sharp objects and possible Lab items.
- Request a supervisor to respond.

Response and Reporting

The responding supervisor will evaluate the situation and request necessary responses.
A Metro Meth Section supervisor and/or detective will have overall authority and responsibility for the scene.
Appropriate reports will be completed, including:
- Hazardous Chemical/Substance or Clandestine Laboratory Exposure Report (Form 9 P.D.)
- Injury Report (Form 314 P.D.)
- Suspected Narcotics Activity Report (Form 115 P.D.)

Contamination and Decontamination

Contamination can occur through skin contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
Disposable gloves and chemical barrier gloves should be worn.
Members should avoid touching their body, eating, or drinking near the scene.
Decontamination will be determined by the Site Safety Officer.
Persons who are contaminated will receive medical attention.

Chemical Recovery

The department chemist will coordinate the disposal of hazardous chemicals with the Metro Meth Section.
The KCFD Haz-Mat Team will be responsible for cleaning up chemical spills.
Chemical recovery will be treated as a criminal offense and will require the response of the Metro Meth Section.

Concealed Traps

Concealed traps can be encountered at Lab scenes.
Types of traps include small foil balls containing strong oxidizers, reactive metals, and solvents.
Extreme caution should be used when entering a Lab, and members should refrain from touching anything at the site.### Explosive Devices and Booby Traps
Extremely shock sensitive and unstable explosives, typically ranging from marble to golf ball size, can be used to harm individuals.
Booby-trapped light switches, flammable liquid containers, and light bulbs can be rigged to detonate and cause harm.
Refrigerator doors and internal light bulbs can be wired to detonate an explosive liquid when opened, posing a threat to individuals accessing the appliance.
Mock video tape cassettes can be altered to detonate an internal explosion when placed into a video player, making them a potential hazard.
CO2 cartridges, gun barrels, steel pipes, and dummy pineapple grenades can be filled with explosive material and connected to a detonation device, posing a significant threat.
A hydrogen cyanide gas generator can be created using a makeshift container with acidic chemicals designed to spill onto a toxic chemical, releasing a deadly gas.
Leaving open, flammable liquids adjacent to incendiary devices can ignite and cause harm.
Attack dogs and poisonous/dangerous snakes can be used as a form of booby trap to harm individuals.
Monofilament trip lines can be connected to chemical or explosive booby-traps and/or firearms, such as an explosive device or shotgun rigged to a doorknob, doorway, or main entryway.
Compressed gas cylinders with discolored valves can be a sign of a potential explosive device.
Camping coolers or thermoses can be used to conceal explosive devices or harmful materials.