The OPP Drug Enforcement Section (DES) Clandestine Drug Laboratory Investigations

The OPP DES has been investigating clandestine drug labs (clan labs), since 2001. • A clan lab is an illicit chemical lab designed for secretly making illegal drugs and includes indoor marihuana grow-ops. • Since 2001, the OPP has dismantled over 30 clandestine drug labs. • Clan labs can be found anywhere. Both urban and rural areas of Ontario are not immune. They are highly mobile, making detection more difficult. •Since 2006, police have noted a dramatic upswing in the production and trafficking of illicit drugs in Ontario, reflected in the trend toward economic Super Labs. • Growing at the same dramatic rate is the risk of toxic exposure, environmental damage, and chemical explosions associated to the public and first responders, including firefighters, police and other emergency services personnel, who must respond to these scenes. • The production of one (1) pound of methamphetamine produces about six (6) pounds of toxic waste. Comparatively, one (1) pound of ecstasy results in about 12 pounds of toxic waste. This toxic waste is usually disposed of through careless dumping resulting in environmental contamination and health hazards for the public. • Responding to this issue, the OPP Drug Enforcement Section now has two (2) mobile response vehicles that can quickly respond to dismantle clan labs anywhere in the province. • The Office of the Fire Marshall (OFM) plays a significant role in assisting the OPP to deal with the dismantling of clan labs and illegal indoor …