Summary Results From the Methamphetamine Lab Cookers Survey June 2001-December 2002

• NCJ Number: 200605
• Author(s): James M. Valle; Aileen Ikegami; Rod Crisp
• Date Published: January 2003
• Length: 49 pages
• Corporate Author: Los Angeles HIDTA
• Sale Source: Inland Narcotic Clearing House (INCH)
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This document presents the findings of the Methamphetamine Lab Cooker Survey (MLCS).

Abstract

The MLCS consisted of a detailed four page anonymous 54-question survey and was designed to ascertain unknown aspects of local clandestine methamphetamine lab production. Only the small or stovetop methamphetamine lab cookers were the target audience of this survey. The MLCS was implemented only in the specific geographic area of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, which have historically produced more meth labs than any other counties in America. Both public and private drug abuse rehabilitation centers participated voluntarily in the survey over a 1 year period. Results show that an estimated 253,623 people were cooking meth in the Los Angeles High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) between the years 1999 to 2001. About 11.6 pounds of finished methamphetamine was made per year with the vast majority made for personal use. Sixty percent of those surveyed stated that they learned to cook methamphetamine under the supervision of close friends and relatives. Contrary to popular belief, the Internet plays a minor role in providing manufacturing information. Methamphetamine cookers teach at least one person to cook meth every 90 days. Seventy-nine percent of surveyed lab cooks have never been arrested for cooking meth. About 52 percent stated it was easy to cook meth and it only took them one attempt to be successful. Cookers used meth on an average of 5 years before they attempted to cook their own meth for the first time. Cooking meth is a nocturnal activity since 66 percent of all cooking takes place between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Cookers prefer to make meth on weekdays. The majority of cooks prefer to cook meth socially with friends, neighbors, and loved ones. Most lab cooks are male, between 30 and 39 years old, and Caucasian. Lab cookers reported that 24 percent of them had experienced a lab fire while cooking meth, and 20 percent had “secret fires” or unreported fires. Over 77 pounds of highly toxic waste is produced a year by the average lab cooker.