Course Overview

Over the past few years, patrol officers and narcotic investigators have faced a litany of new and challenging obstacles to combat the war on drugs. Although meth labs have been steadily decreasing across the United States, there has been an increase in several types of dangerous micro labs to include Fentanyl, Butane Hash Oil, and Liquid Meth conversation labs. In 2017, the fentanyl claimed the lives of nearly thousands of people. Law enforcement officers have a daunting task when confronted with a micro drug lab involving the manufacturing of fentanyl. From minor skin contact to inhalation, fentanyl can be lethal in the smallest of quantities. Detailed information will be presented on indicators of common types of fentanyl labs to include pill presses. Safety equipment will be provided to equip officers better to deal with a fentanyl micro lab.

Butane Hash Oil (BHO) labs have become increasingly popular across the United States for individuals involved in the illegal distribution of drugs to include “dabs.” Butane is highly flammable and can explode if not handled properly. Patrol officers have the highest probability of encountering a BHO lab, but often have the least amount of protection. Detailed information will be presented on the recognition of a BHO lab and the proper safety equipment needed to process a BHO lab. With the influx of crystal methamphetamine from Mexico, clandestine meth labs have decreased in many areas of the United States. However, micro meth labs like the one-pot method are still surfacing in parts of the U.S. as well as liquid meth conversion labs. Detailed information will be presented on the recognition of a micro meth lab and the proper safety equipment needed to process the lab. With micro labs popping up across the country on a regular basis, patrol officers and investigators need to equip themselves with the knowledge of what the dangers are, how to recognize them, and, most importantly, how to mitigate the threat.

This two-day course will be a comprehensive approach to identifying, containing, and processing Fentanyl, BHO, and Meth Labs safely and effectively. Practical scenarios will also be conducted to demonstrate how to process the labs properly.