HOME

About our Sheriff

Amber Alerts

Animal Control

Business Watch

Citizen's Police Academy

Dorchester's Most Wanted

Emergency Preparedness

Employment

Identity Theft

Internet Safety

Meth Labs

Neighborhood Watch

Scams

Sex Offender Registry

Using 911

Contact Us

DORCHESTER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE South Carolina

To Protect and to Serve

Neighborhood Meth Lab?
METH LAB FIRE

Meth Labs are frequencly discovered by the Fire Department when responding to Kitchen and Garage fires.



Once the fire is out, the long process of professional Clean-Up begins


METH LAB CLEAN UP
IS THERE A METH LAB

COOKIN'

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

 

Many people may may not be aware that they're living near a meth lab. Meth labs turn up in houses, barns, apartments, trailers, campers, cabins and motel rooms – even the backs of pickups. The equipment for a meth lab can be as small as to fit in a duffel bag, a cardboard box or the trunk of a car.

Here are some things to look for in identifying a meth lab:

  • Unusual, strong odors (like cat urine, ether, ammonia, acetone or other chemicals).
  • Residences with windows blacked out.
  • Renters who pay their landlords in cash. (Most drug dealers trade exclusively in cash.)
  • Lots of traffic - people coming and going at unusual times. There may be little traffic during the day, but at night the activity increases dramatically.
  • Excessive trash including large amounts of items such as: antifreeze containers, lantern fuel cans, red chemically stained coffee filters, drain cleaner and duct tape.
  • Unusual amounts of clear glass containers being brought into the home.
  • Windows blacked out or covered by aluminum foil, plywood, sheets, blankets, etc.
  • Secretive / protective area surrounding the residence (like video cameras, alarm systems, guard dogs, reinforced doors, electrified fencing).
  • Persons exiting the structure to smoke
  • Little traffic during the day, but high traffic at late hours; including different vehicles arriving and staying for short periods of time.
  • Little or no mail, furniture, visible trash and no newspaper delivery.

Presence of the following items could indicate the existence of a meth lab:

Alcohol
Ether
Benzene
Toluene/Paint Thinner
Freon
Acetone
Chloroform
Camp Stove Fuel/Coleman Fuel
Starting Fluid
Anhydrous Ammonia
"Heet"
White Gasoline
Phenyl-2-Propane
Phenylacetone
Phenylpropanolamine
Iodine Crystals
Red Phosphorous
Black Iodine
Lye (Red Devil Lye)
Drano
Muriatic/Hydrochloric Acid
Battery Acid/Sulfuric Acid
Epsom Salts
Batteries/Lithium
Sodium Metal
Wooden Matches
Propane Cylinders
Hot Plates
Ephedrine (over-the-counter)
Cold Tablets
Bronchodialators
Energy Boosters
Rock Salt
Diet Aids


If you suspect a meth lab in your neighborhood contact
The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office:

Summerville (Mon-Fri 8:30-5:00) call 843-832-0300

After Hours, contact 843-873-5111 (Dispatch)


St. George (Mon-Fri. 8:30-5:00) call 843-563-0259

After hours, contact 843-563-3511 (Dispatch)

EMERGENCY 9-1-1