Controversy surrounds Utah study on meth lab effects on First Responders
November 20, 2008
The results of a $500,000, two year study ordered by Utah legislators that was designed to examine meth lab exposure and health effects was announced on Wednesday. The approval of the study was prompted when law enforcement officers filed claims for workman’s compensation, alleging that their health problems were Read more
South Carolina man dies when his meth lab explodes
November 17, 2008
A meth lab explosion that occurred at 6268 Brush River Road in Newberry County, S.C. killed 34 year old Reggie Braswell on Sunday night. Reggie died as a result of blunt force trauma to his head and chest, that he suffered as a result of the meth lab explosion.
When firefighters arrived at this home, flames and smoke were spewing from the roof of the home. They also found Braswell’s body lying on the back porch of the home, which had been dragged out of the house. They also found chemicals, hoses, and a propane tank that had been altered, which prompted them to call the police about the makings of a meth lab at the scene.
The DEA and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division were called in to do the remove the chemicals and meth lab paraphernalia from the site. According to news reports, Braswell’s girlfriend was also present at the scene. Reports say that she was not injured. News agencies are reporting that Reggie’s girlfriend called 911, on the night of the explosion, and reported to them that her boyfriend was on fire.
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Salt Lake County family denied the right to sue health department over meth lab home
November 15, 2008
Like thousands of people across America, the Alkinani family bought a home expecting that the home was “safe to live in”. But, when neighbors told them that the home had been used as a meth lab, they decided to contact their local health department. The health department admitted that the home had once been used as Read more
Hunters warned by Indiana State police about outdoor meth labs
November 14, 2008
November signals hunting season in many areas of the country. It’s the time of year when hunters pull their orange hats, vests, or jackets out of the closet and check their shotguns, rifles, and bows to make sure they’re working properly. Hunters know the routine. They’ve been doing it since the settlers came to Read more
Oklahoma meth lab explosion claims the life of 53 year old man
November 6, 2008
Terrence Scott Wood, 53, is the latest meth lab cook to lose his life in Oklahoma, as the result of a meth lab explosion on the 1200 block of South Darlington Avenue in Tulsa. The October 19th fire orginated in the garage behind the residence, where the meth lab chemicals were being stored. However, firefighters found a Read more
Exposure to chemicals in former meth labs can cause serious health problems
November 2, 2008
Residual solids and liquids in the form of surface residues, spills, etc. will remain in place unless physically removed. Until completely and thoroughly removed, there is a possibility of being exposed to these residuals risking injury.
The longer the exposure, the greater the potential for harm. Exposure over an extended period of time (months to years to a lifetime) is known as “chronic exposure.” Not much is known about the chronic health effects from methamphetamine labs. There is scientific evidence, however, that shows that the chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine can cause a variety of health effects including Read more
Super Meth Lab blows up in Madeira County, California
October 27, 2008
A 33 year old, Mexican national, is said to be responsible for a meth lab explosion in Madeira County, California. When firefighters arrived at the home, they discovered that the fire had originated in two sheds behind the house. The sheds were being rented by the Mexican meth cook. The lab was capable of producing hundreds of pounds of methamphetamine according to investigators. The location of the lab was on Avenue 16 1/2 just east of Road 16.
According to CBS 47 TV, “Hazmat and environmental crews had to wait over two days to access this site because of toxic conditions and dangerous contamination. The materials inside the sheds even affected how firefighters attacked the blaze because if they douse the flames with water, the poisonous materials would seep into the ground. It is estimated that at least four 55-gallon drums worth of soil will have to be removed from this site because of contamination.”
The owner of the property and the person renting the home both said they had no idea that the sheds were being used as meth labs. The owner of the property will now be responsible for the demolition and may be responsible for paying for some of the cleanup. Madeira County will pay for the initial cleanup of the property which is said to be about $25,000. Any additional cost for cleanup will be handed over to the owner of the home. CBS 47 says this is the third meth lab explosion in Madeira County in the last six years.
Reference: “Super Meth Lab discovered in Madeira County” 10/27/2008, http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=231bdcf0-334e-46ea-b7a1-0478af7bc9dc
Before you buy a foreclosed home ask yourself at least one question
October 23, 2008
If you are thinking about buying a home that is being sold as a foreclosure, ask yourself one question before you sign on the dotted line. Was the home ever used as a meth lab?
Indiana sees dramatic rise in meth labs in 2008
October 22, 2008
Meth labs are making a come back in Knox County, Indiana. According to Steve Luce, Knox County Sheriff, meth labs in the county have significantly increased during the last 6 to 8 months. Luce attributes the increase to new methods of manufacturing meth that are being used by meth cooks in his County. The number of meth labs in the County have already increased 112% this year over last.
The meth lab problem in Knox County and in neighboring counties has increased so much in recent months, that the new Knox County jail, that is capable of housing 220 prisoners, may soon reach its capacity. If that happens, Luce says neighboring counties who are looking for a prison to put their prisoners in, may have to look elsewhere.
Indiana State Police have reported that so far this year they have busted 800 meth labs. The total number of meth lab busts in Indiana last year were 820.
Reference: “Meth Makes a Comeback”, WTHITV10, 10/210/08, http://www.wthitv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9216539&nav=menu593_2
Cole Puffinburger kidnapping tied to grandfather, meth, stolen money, and a Mexican drug cartel
October 20, 2008
(video posting)
A Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada bus driver is being hailed as a hero today for finding six-year old, Cole Puffinburger. Sadly, the reason why Cole was abducted from his Las Vegas home last Wednesday, is rumored to be the result of his grandfather’s ties to meth, money, and a Mexican drug cartel. (click more to see video)
Police suspect that Cole Puffinburger’s abduction was intended to send his Clemens Tinnemayer, 51, his maternal grandfather, a clear message. Clemens Tinnemayer is suspected of stealing between $8 million and $20 million dollars in drug trafficking money from his Mexican meth suppliers. The FBI arrested Tinnemeyer was arrested on Friday for being a “person of interest”.
Tinnemeyer’s neighbors said that up until about 2 years ago, it was common to see cars coming and going from the home that he’d and his wife had lived in for nearly 20 years. Clemens told neighbors that he had a recording studio behind his home and public records show him tied to businesses called Bomber Records Inc., C&C Weston Inc. and Salita Records Inc.
By 2001, neither Tinnemeyer’s carpenter skills or his recording studio, or his wife’s monthly earnings of $3800 for her lunch room job at the local elementary school, were enough to keep up with their mounting debts. Tinnemeyer and his wife filed for bankruptcy in 2001 listing liabilities of nearly $330,000. Listed assets amounted to just over $225,000. Tinnemeyer and his wife also listed three mortgages on their Las Vegas home and thousands of dollars in credit card debt.
Neighbors also say that it wasn’t unusual for their grandson, six-year old, Cole Puffinburger, to spend time with his grandmother at the Tinnemeyer home. But in May of this year, they say Clemens Tinnemeyer left in a motor home and never returned. When a black pickup truck pulled in to the driveway on Sunday, they say no one ever came to the door to see who was parked outside.