CLANDESTINE LABORATORIES AND PRECURSOR CHEMICALS
Clandestine laboratories covertly manufacture illicit drugs and/or their precursors.
Clandestine laboratories can range from crude, makeshift operations using simple
processes, to highly sophisticated operations using technically advanced equipment
and facilities.
EXTENT
The 2013–14 Illicit Drug Data Report found:
 Clandestine laboratories detected range from addict-based labs (which
typically use only basic equipment and simple procedures to manufacture
less than 50 grams per production cycle) through to industrial-scale
laboratories (using oversized equipment and manufacture 50 kilograms or
more per production cycle).
 The majority of detected clandestine laboratories in Australia are categorised
as addict-based. However, illicit drug manufacture in Australia also includes
medium to industrial-scale clandestine laboratories.
 Methylamphetamine is the main illicit drug produced in Australian
clandestine laboratories.
 The majority of clandestine laboratories continue to be detected in
residential areas.
HARMS
Clandestine laboratories present major environmental, social, health and economic
threats to Australia including:
 potentially fatal fires or explosions
 properties left uninhabitable due to chemical contamination
 environmental risks from dumping dangerous chemicals and residues in
drains, rivers, public parks and on roadsides—for every kilogram of pure
methylamphetamine produced, up to 10 kilograms of hazardous and toxic
waste is created
 potential exposure to toxic chemicals that constitute a major health risk
 involvement of organised crime
 increased investment in time and resources by law enforcement.
Indicators of a residential clandestine laboratory include:
 unusual or strong chemical odours
 chemical containers, drums and waste
 improvised ducting and pipes used for ventilation
 unusual movement of personnel or traffic flows.
TRENDS
The number of clandestine laboratories detected nationally in 2013–14 decreased,
with 744 clandestine laboratories detected. Of these, 68 per cent were in residential
areas.
LINKS TO SERIOUS AND ORGANISED CRIME
Serious and organised crime groups are principally motivated by money and power
and the illicit drug market continues to be their main source of profit. Organised
crime groups continue to maintain a strong presence in both the domestic
manufacture of illicit drugs, as well as the importation of illicit drugs and precursor
chemicals.