Where was Meth Produced in Connecticut?

A crystal meth lab is a dangerous place to be.

“As an environmental hazard, the byproducts of meth labs contaminate their surroundings with harmful fumes and highly explosive chemical compounds,” according to a face sheet from the U.S. Forest Service. “Abandoned meth labs are basically time bombs, waiting for the single spark that can ignite the contents of the lab. In the hands of the untrained chemists simultaneously using meth and working with the flammable chemical components, a working meth lab is just as unsafe.”

While the Forest Service says meth labs are found in remote areas of national forests, they can also be operated out of people’s homes. In Connecticut alone, three homes are listed on a directory of meth labs in the United States, published on the Drug Enforcement Administration website.

• East Hampton: 138 Mott Hill Rd. (6/8/2005)
• East Hampton: 5 Bellevue St. (6/8/2005)
• Norwalk: 5 Coventry Place (6/18/2006)

The Mott Hill Home is off the market and was last sold in May 2007 for $233,000, according to Zillow. The Bellevue Street home is off the market and was last sold in 1999 for $109,000, per the ZIllow listing.

The Norwalk home listing on Trulia notes the residence was last sold in 1996, for $225,000.

Connecticut’s History of Meth Incidents

According to the DEA report on meth lab incidents, out of a 2004 - 2012 time span, activity in Connecticut was highest in 2005. The data include all meth incidents, including labs, dumpsites or chemical and glassware seizures.

• 2004: 0
• 2005: 4
• 2006: 3
• 2007: 0
• 2008: 1
• 2009: 2
• 2010: 1
• 2011: 0
• 2012: 2

How to Identify An Active Meth Lab

Source: CT Department of Public Health

• Unusual, strong odors (cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other strong chemicals)
• Blacked out windows
• Renters who pay landlords in cash
• Excessive traffic in and out of residence, at unusual times
• Excessive trash, specifically antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, stained coffee filters, drain cleaner, duct tape
• Unusually large amounts of clean glass containers brought into residence
• Secretive/protective areas surrounding the house (fences, video cameras, alarm systems, etc.)
• People exiting the residence to smoke
• Little to no mail or newspaper delivery
• No furniture

What Not To Do

Source: CT Department of Public Health

• Do not turn electrical devices on or off (it may cause an explosion)
• Do not attempt to stop the chemical reaction if ‘cooking’ is taking place
• Do not shut off the water supply to the residence
• Do not use firearms
• Do not smell any containers
• Do not smoke
• Do not open or move containers
• Do not touch any unknown substances
• Do not use standard flash photography

Note: These precautions apply to the meth lab property, not neighboring properties, according to the CT Department of Public Health.

If a raid is conducted and a meth lab is found, the DEA or Connnecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will hire a contractor to remove bulk material, according to the CT Department of Public Health.

How to Tell if Someone is Using Meth

Source: Narconon

• Meth appearances: white to light brown crystalline powder, clear chunky crystals, liquid form
• May find small bags of white powder, crystals or syringes
• Might find small pieces of crumpled aluminum foil, soda cans with a hole in the side or the shafts of inexpensive ball-point pens
• Person does not sleep for long
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of weight
• Appearing unusually active
• Seems nervous or anxious
• Person likely to overheat
• May be sweaty for no obvious cause
• Dilated pupils
• Heavy users may develop sores, rotten or falling out teeth, hallucinations or delusions

Need Help?

For a list of treatment sites, click on the National Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Have questions on meth labs?

Call the CT Department of Public Health at 860-509-7742 or call the CT Methamphetamine Task Force at 860-779-9253.

(Photo Credit: by INeedCoffee.com via flickr creative commons)