Policy Text
IV. CLANDESTINE DRUG AND INDOOR MARIJUANA
GROW LABORATORY SEARCH WARRANT STAGES
This Order establishes procedures for the safe identification and investigation of a clandestine
drug or indoor marijuana grow laboratory. Once a clandestine drug or indoor marijuana grow
laboratory is suspected or has been identified, contact shall be made with a Narcotics Division
supervisor. A Narcotics supervisor shall assign a Narcotics Agent or, in the case of a clandestine
drug laboratory, a Clandestine Laboratory Enforcement Team (CLET) member to respond. Upon
arrival, the Narcotics agent and/or a CLET member shall assume control of the crime scene.
Clandestine drug and indoor marijuana grow laboratories are frequently operated with little or no
safety precautions. Immediate dangers include fire, explosion, inhalation of harmful fumes, and
skin contact with dangerous chemicals. Exposure to chemicals found in such laboratories without
proper training and protection can cause cumulative, damaging effects to the body. Any member
that comes into contact with a clandestine drug or indoor marijuana grow laboratory shall follow
(OSHA) guidelines for safety. Once a clandestine drug laboratory has been discovered, only
those agency employees who have received approved OSHA training shall be allowed into the
secured area.
This Order applies to all law enforcement sworn and Crime Scene members.
DEFINITIONS
CHEMICALS AND EQUIPMENT - The below listed items are commonly used in a clandestine
drug or marijuana grow laboratory. Although the possession of these items is not illegal, a
combination ofany ofthese items could potentially be utilized in the manufacture of illicit drugs
including marijuana, methamphetamine and methylenedioxmethamphetamine (MDMA aka
Ecstasy).
GENERAL ORDER 532.05
DATE EFFECTIVE SUPERSEDES REVISION NUMBER PAGE
090624 092613 24-01 2 of
Chemicals:
Plant fertilizer
Plant growth agents
Various plant growing media (grow cubes or blocks)
Plant pest and disease control products
Ephedrine/Pseudoephedrine (Cold Tablets)
Acetone
Alcohol (Isopropyl or Rubbing)
Toluene/Xylene (Brake Cleaner)
Ether (Engine Starter)
Sulfuric Acid (Drain Cleaner)
Methanol/Alcohol (Gasoline Additives)
Lithium (Batteries)
Anhydrous Ammonia (Farm Fertilizer)
Sodium Hydroxide (Lye)
Red Phosphorus (Matches/Road Flares)
Muriatic Acid
Iodine (Teat Dip or Flakes/Crystal)
Tricholoroethane (Gun Scrubber)
Sodium Metal
MSM (Cutting Agent)
Equipment:
Pyrex or corning dishes
Jugs
Bottles
Funnels
Stained coffee filters
Thermometer
Cheesecloth
Blender
Rubber tubing/gloves
Light hoods/reflectors
Grow lights (High pressure sodium, fluorescent, or metal halide light bulbs)
Electric transformers/ballasts
Gas can (Often with rubber tubing protruding from the can)
Tape/clamps
Hotplate or some other heat-producing item (Often a clothes iron converted to a
hotplate)
Strainers
Aluminum foil
Propane cylinders
cylinders
CO2
GENERAL ORDER 532.05
DATE EFFECTIVE SUPERSEDES REVISION NUMBER PAGE
090624 092613 24-01 3 of 10
. “How to make methamphetamine”, “How to grow marijuana,”/etc. books and
manuals.
° Water pumps
. Internet
documents/notes
. Electric light timers
CLANDESTINE DRUG LABORATORY - An illicit operation, consisting of a sufficient
combination of apparatus and chemicals that either has been or could be used in the manufacture
or synthesis of controlled substances or controlled substance analogs to include synthetic
marijuana (K-2, Spice etc.) or bath salts. A clandestine drug laboratory is considered operational
if all the necessary chemicals and apparatus are present, and the laboratory is set up so that a
chemical synthesis could begin within a short period of time. This policy specifically excludes
heroin or cocaine “cutting mill” /dilution operations, and “crack” cocaine free base operations,
each of which is a unique and significant enforcement problem, but not a clandestine laboratory
for purposes of this definition.
CLANDESTINE DRUG LABORATORY ENFORCEMENT TEAM (CLET) MEMBER — A
sworn or civilian employee who has successfully completed a minimumof 40 hours ofinstruction
and is current with their certification in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.120 (e) (Hazardous Waste
Operations and Emergency Response); An initial medical clearance to include general medical
history, general medical examination, and laboratory tests; annual medical monitoring and
certification of medical clearance shall be conducted to the balance of the member’s career
regardless of assignment in accordance to OSHA standards; annual recertification by a certified
trainer of at least eight hours.
INDOOR MARIJUANA GROW LABORATORY- An illicit operation consisting of marijuana
plants, growing equipment (grow lights, Co2 tanks, transformers etc.) and chemicals that either
has been or could be used in the production or manufacture of marijuana, A marijuana drug
laboratory is considered operational if live marijuana plants as well as the apparatus to grow
marijuana are present. Anything not considered to be an operational lab should be reported as a
non-operational lab
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) - Equipment worn to minimize exposure to a
variety ofhazards.
PROCEDURE: