What Does a Meth Lab Look Like - 5 Signs It's Happening

What does a meth lab look like? Some parents, property owners or interested neighbors are asking this question. With the number of these facilities popping up throughout the country, it may seem like it is hard to find them. You will not find big production facilities throughout a city. You will not notice a building that looks like a factory. There generally is not a large surge in electrical costs, either. Rather, a crystal methamphetamine facility is often in a garage, alley, home or even in abandoned buildings.

5 Ways to Know

What does a meth lab look like up-close? If you happen to enter into a room that you seem to believe is a lab like this, it helps to know what the most likely elements are. Most often, a facility that's in regular use will have debris like the following available in it or around it. You may notice that some of these materials are used repeatedly, too. They are not usually thrown away but they are hidden. In other cases, they are out in the open.

1. You will notice substances used to create the illegal drug. This may be in boxes or bottles of cold medications. Many times, there will be numerous bottles present, often empty. This is not just one or two pills lying around.

2. You will notice chemicals in the space. This could include any acid-based chemical such as camping fuel, paint thinner, acetone, drain cleaners, lye, starter fluid and similar products. The bottles may be empty. Any combination of these may be a key indication.

3. You may notice other bottles and pans in the space with a white residue in them. There may also be filters present. These may contain a white paste in them or a dark red sludge. These are indications that the product is being processed. Some of the bottles will have tubes running out of them or laying nearby.

4. You may notice powdery substances, especially on glass bottles or jars. A white residue may also be present. Glass cookware is one of the most commonly used devices, but other times frying pans are in use instead.

5. There is likely a strong smell present in the space. This will have an ammonia smell to it. In other cases, it will smell like urine.

As you wonder, what does a meth lab look like, keep in mind that it is one of the most worrisome scenes present. Because of how deadly this type of substance can be, it is not something that individuals should put off reporting. If you believe this type of lab is in the works, contact authorities to perform a full investigation.