The recent lab finds are due to the extreme emphasis that has been placed on the seizure of clandestine methamphetamine labs by area law enforcement, Sequoyah County Sheriff Johnny Philpot said.
Philpot said within the last few weeks, three "boxed lab" sites have been investigated by the sheriff's department. One lab was found in a roadside culvert in the Brushy community, one was found along the roadside in the Gans area, and the third was found in dense vegetation near a county road, Philpot said.
"Even though these types of labs are usually referred to as 'boxed labs,' they are commonly found packaged in large nylon bags, storage containers, ice chests, and buckets," Philpot said. "Many times the containers used for these boxed labs have been painted in an attempt to camouflage them, or actual camouflage netting material has been placed over the container."
Philpot said officers are reporting an increase in the number of these boxed labs. He said as officers continue their crackdown on clandestine methamphetamine labs in the county, the offenders are starting to conceal their lab equipment and chemicals in remote locations away from their home when they are not using them. Many of the boxed labs end up being abandoned by the offenders because they fear being detected by law enforcement.
Philpot said these boxed labs should be considered extremely dangerous and volatile and should not be handled. Sequoyah County officers recommend that parents take a few minutes to inform their children of the dangers associated with the contents of one these boxed labs.
"Parents need to let their children know that if they find a large nylon bag or storage container or bucket in an out-of-the-way place, that they need to not open or move it, and they need to let an adult know about it so law enforcement officers can come dispose of it properly," Philpot said.
Philpot said these boxed labs commonly have all of the toxic chemicals used in manufacturing methamphetamine contained in a very small area, and many times, these toxic chemicals are stored in containers that are not designed for chemicals. As a result, many times toxic fumes build up inside these containers, making it extremely dangerous to a curious child who decides to open a box they find, Philpot said.
He said in addition to the many hazardous chemicals found with these labs, numerous items of paraphernalia, such as syringes, are also found. With the presence of these used syringes, biohazard threats such as hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) also are present.
"It cannot be emphasized enough how dangerous these boxed labs can be," Philpot said. "If you or a member of your family comes across what you think could possibly be one of these boxed labs, contact the sheriff's department."
Philpot said several of his deputies and investigators are specially trained in handling clandestine methamphetamine labs. He said investigators can obtain a wealth of information from these boxed labs that sometimes lead to a suspect or suspects. Investigators can lift fingerprints from the contents of the labs as a means to identify the possible suspects. They can also determine from the type of chemicals used and the level of equipment the amount of experience of the suspect.
If residents find a suspected boxed lab, contact the sheriff's department at (918) 775-9155 and request to speak to an investigator.
