Sources of danger at the site of discovery of secret labs for drugs production

Abstract

Since 2003, 10 secret laboratories for the production of synthetic drugs, mainly amphetamine and methamphetamine, have been discovered in Serbia. The discovered laboratories exceeded the needs of the Serbian drug market with their production capacities, possessed highly professional equipment, and only some had very professional staff who worked there. In the future it can be expected that criminal groups will direct the production of synthetic drugs to mini-labs of so-called kitchen type, which will increase the availability of synthetic drugs in the local market and directly lower their price. Regardless of their size, these laboratories are highly risky, especially due to the presence of a variety of chemicals that are generally poisonous and flammable, and certain chemicals in contact with air or other chemicals can cause fires and lead to explosion. Also, due to the improper disposal of chemical waste, illegal laboratories pose a great danger to the environment. Police, as well as other authorities involved in suppressing these criminal activities, must be very careful during their treatment, since drug users with a high rate of infection of various infectious diseases, primarily HIV / AIDS and hepatitis, can also be the source of danger. In this paper we discuss the sources of danger and possible consequences in case of discovery and dismanteling of drug production factories.