The History of Meth lab Homes in Utah spans decades

Meth lab homes in Utah are nothing new. In fact, according to reports by the Utah Department of Public Safety, the state has had meth labs for at least 23 years. The number of homes that are still contaminated in Utah is unknown. What is known is that manufacturing meth produces toxic chemicals that endanger the health of men, women, children, and animals.

1985 – The first phenyl acetic acid/lead acetate lab was located in a residence in Salt Lake City, Utah. While this synthesis was unique to the Pacific Northwest it served notice that this type of Clandestine Lab was coming to Utah.

1987 - The first ephedrine/hydriodic acid/red phosphorous methamphetamine lab was seized in Orem, Utah. A preview of things to come. During this time period a hashish lab was discovered, by fire, in a mobile home in West Valley City, Utah.

1988 – A Methamphetamine lab was located in Spring Glenn, Utah, and during the processing of the lab valuable evidence was left at the scene, due to inexperience in investigating clandestine labs, by Federal and State investigators. In St. George a methamphetamine lab was seized where ephedrine pills were used. Another indicator of the changes in the manufacturing process.

1989 – Almost 700 pounds of phenyl acetic acid, methylamine, and ether are seized in Murray, Utah. This is the first documented case where members of the Hells Angles Motorcycle Gang, has used property in the State of Utah. The Utah State Legislature passed the first precursor control legislation in the states history. The Utah Division of Investigation and the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration seize the first MDMA (Ecstacy) lab in the state of Utah. This lab was located at a commercial research lab in the City of Salt Lake. Approximately seven total labs were seized during the year.

1990 – The Department of Public Safety, Division of Investigation applied and received a Bureau of Justice Assistance Grant, through the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, and established the states first Clandestine Laboratory Response Team. This team is fully equipped and comprised of State Agents that trained and worked with some Local and Federal Officers, to assist local and federal officers with investigations, processing, disposal and cleanup of Clandestine Labs. A Clandestine Lab is located, as a result of a fire, in Stockton, Utah, which is capable of producing methamphetamine as well as explosive devices. A nerve gas booby trap was located at the scene but was not armed. The very first cocaine conversion lab (Cocaine paste to Cocaine HCL) was seized in Magna, Utah. Four total labs were seized.

In 1990 a Clandestine Lab caught fire in an old church that had been converted into a residence, in Stockton, Utah. This lab site had chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine and chemicals to manufacture and build explosive devices. The doorway had been booby trapped with a trip wire leading from the door knob to a canister of nerve gas.

In 1990 a Clandestine Lab seized by members of the Sheriffs Department, was boxed up and the chemicals and contaminated glassware were taken to the evidence room of the Sheriffs Department. Several employees were overcome by the contaminated items and chemicals and require medical attention.

1991 – 12 meth labs were seized during the calendar year. A significant lab was seized in Tremonton, Utah, where the first butylamine, benzaldehyde, and iron powder used to manufacture methamphetamine was seized.

In 1991 a Clandestine Lab was seized in Tremonton, Utah, where agents discovered the first usage of butylamine, benzaldehyde, and iron powder for the manufacture of meth.

1992 – 14 meth labs were seized during the calendar year. Significant lab occurred in Cedar City, Utah, where agents spent seven days processing three different lab sites. One of the lab locations was used to manufacture methamphetamine and the other was a hashish conversion lab.

In 1992 a matchbook lab caught fire at the Days Inn Motel on 3300 S. 300 W.. The room is a total loss to fire and chemical contamination. The suspect is air lifted to University of Utah burn unit where he is treated for critical burns he received.

1993 – 14 meth labs were seized during the calendar year. The first matchbook (cold cook method) is seized in Salt Lake City. The process is easy to learn and the chemicals utilized are not controlled under the Federal or State Precursor Control Act. A new methamphetamine cook is born and a dramatic increase in methamphetamine labs begins with this new method.

In 1993 the first Matchbook lab was seized in the state of Utah. It was found that all of the chemicals used in this process could be easily purchased at legitimate businesses and that none of the chemicals were illegal to posses.

1994 - 42 meth labs labs were seized during the calendar year. All of the Clandestine Labs seized are of the new matchbook type. Ephedrine based over the counter pills, otherwise known as Mini-Thins, Stay- Alerts, are the main source of ephedrine. Violence with the drug are surfacing causing concern within the community.

In 1994 a matchbook lab started a fire at an apartment building in West Valley City, Utah, completely destroying 12 units of the apartments and damaging 12 others. Damage was estimated at $1,650,000.00 and displaced 40 people. The suspect was arrested and later died from ingesting some of his own product, which he had taken prior to police arrival.

1995 – 37  meth labs were  seized during the calendar year. Ephedrine based pills, matchbook phosphorus, and Iodine crystals are the main ingredients in the manufacturing process. The community is now witnessing greater problems with fire and greater violence, because of the manufacturing and use of methamphetamine.

In 1995 a meth lab catches fire in a Motel 6, in Burns, Oregon causing $3.5 million in property damage.

In 1995 during the execution of a search warrant of a suspected meth lab location, the meth cook engages the SWAT Officers of Las Vegas Metro, with a hand gun. Three SWAT Officers are injured and the cooked was killed.

1996 - 97 labs were seized during calendar year 1996. The number of labs has increased because younger people are getting involved in manufacturing and there are still no controls regarding the chemicals used in the manufacturing of meth.

In 1996 a matchbook lab caught fire in Ogden, Utah, causing extensive damage to the residence where it was located. The suspect received burns over 70% of his body. The suspect was transported to the University of Utah burn unit where he later succumbed to his injuries.

In 1996 a matchbook lab caught fire in a residence in Plymouth, Utah. The residence is a complete loss. Two suspects were treated at the University of Utah burn unit for injuries sustained as a result of the fire and explosion.

In 1996 during a routine investigation of persons purchasing a large amount of an ephedrine based cold medication in Hurricane, Utah. Officers encounter the suspects, who exchange gunfire with officers. This leads to a high speed chase into Arizona where the suspects abandon the vehicle and try to escape on foot, continuing to fire at police. The male suspect is shot and the female is taken into custody. The female is pregnant. Both suspects are wanted in Las Vegas, Nevada for manufacturing methamphetamine. Continued investigation identifies a clandestine lab at a local motel in St. George, Utah.

In 1996 during the service of a search warrant, in Sandy, Utah, several members of the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Department receive an exposure to an unknown chemical and require medical attention.

In 1996 Meth addicted mother neglects her baby and watches her addicted boyfriend kill the child for crying too much.

In 1996 a mobile home catches fire from a small cold cook (Matchbook type) in Aguanga, California and it completely destroys the motor home. Three children, ages one, two, and three, are killed in the fire. The mother was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and three counts of second degree murder. Two additional males where charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

In 1996 a father stabbed his 14 year old son an estimated 60 times before beheading him along Interstate 40, east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Suspect is under the influence of Methamphetamine.

1997 – 148 total labs were seized during calendar year 1997. This increase is due to the availability of chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine.

1998 – 152 labs were seized from January 1 through October 31. In January the State Legislature passed two new laws regarding the sales of precursor chemicals (ephedrine odine Crystals). These limit the sales of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine based product to a total of 12 grams product vs 24 which the federal standard is. It also limits the sales of Iodine Crystals to 2 oz at a single purchase.

1999 – 520 meth labs seized

2000 – 455 meth labs seized

2001 – 322 meth labs seized

2002 – 212 meth labs seized

2003 – 229 meth labs seized

2004 – 237 meth labs seized

2005 – 238 meth labs seized

In 2005 Midvale police detective Jose Argueta was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. For several years, Argueta worked with the DEA task force and he believe his exposure to the dangerous chemicals used in meth labs caused him to develop cancer.

Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Lt. Robby Russo, a former narcotics officer, after being diagnosed with cancer had to have a kidney, a rib, and his gallbladder removed. Russo says that he and other detectives grew concerned when their clothing and shoes began disintegrating the morning after they were involved in a meth lab bust.

Utah lawmakers have approved a bill authorizing $500,000 to conduct a workplace safety study on police officers and firefighters who come into contact with meth labs without proper protection.

At least 84 law enforcement officers in Utah who have been exposured to the chemicals from meth labs while on-the-job have become sick or died, according to a KSL-TV investigation.

2006 - 207 meth labs seized

References: Reavy, Pat, “Police Rally for Utah Officer with Cancer”, 3/29/2006, updated 7/8/2008, http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=29543

Utah Department of Public Safety, http://publicsafety.utah.gov