NCJ Number
152430
Date Published
1994
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This report provides information on the number and type of clandestine laboratories seized in the United States in 1993.
Abstract
Clandestine laboratories produce the overwhelming majority of the illicit dangerous drugs available in the United States. Laboratory seizures, to a large degree, reflect both regional and national trends in manufacturing, trafficking, and availability of clandestinely produced controlled substances. During 1993, 270 clandestine laboratories were seized in the United States, primarily in the West and Southwest. This is a 19-percent decrease from 1992. Although the percentage decrease in 1993 laboratory seizures is less dramatic than the percentage decreases in 1990 and 1991 (35 percent and 28 percent, respectively), it nonetheless marks the fourth consecutive year that seizures declined. The continuing enforcement of Federal and State legislation to regulate chemicals required for clandestine drug manufacture may be credited, in part, for decreases in the number of illicit laboratories. Enacted in March 1989, the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988 enabled the Federal Government to regulate listed chemicals used in the clandestine synthesis of dangerous drugs. Although the number of seizures of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories declined in 1993, methamphetamine remained the most prevalent illicitly manufactured controlled substance in the United States. Twenty- two laboratories that were producing methcathinone -- a potent, easily manufactured stimulant known on the street as "cat" -- were confiscated in 1993. Seizures of cocaine conversion laboratories remained low during 1993. The number of clandestine laboratory seizures are presented by drug type. Appended 1993 clandestine laboratory seizures by drug type and field division, chemicals regulated by Federal legislation, and 22 suggested readings