In recent decades drug offences continued their upward trend. In 1993, the State’s Drug Squad has been expanded, improved technology was introduced to keep abreast of modern methods of criminal activity. Allocation of additional staff to the Drug Investigation Squad resulted in a series of successful seizures of illicit drugs – amphetamines, heroin, LSD, cocaine, cannabis, hashish and morphine – with an estimated street value of $39 million. (AR1993-4) The Illicit Laboratory Investigation Team (ILIT) was established within the State Drug Investigation Unit (SDUI) in the same year. The team was tasked with processing illicit laboratories, thus enabling police officers previously utilised for this purpose to be used to enhance the State Drug Investigation Group’s proactive investigation capabilities. The team headed by a Detective Senior Sergeant was staffed with 11 officers. ‘Each of these officers had undergone an intensive training course relating to the latest methods used in the manufacture of drugs such as speed, ecstasy, home-bake heroin and other drugs.’ (Sheldon, G. QPUJ Aug 1997, p. 15)
The Illicit Laboratory Investigation Task Force, Queensland Police Union Journal August 1997.
A critical part of the course was dedicated to safe handling of chemicals utilised in production of illicit drugs; dangerous acids, precursor chemicals, and drugs in liquid forms. The ‘clan labs’ were and are extremely volatile, and upon contact have the propensity to explode, catch fire, emit poisonous gases or can cause irritation to skin, eyes or throat.
A police officer from the Drug Squad during a training session. Protective clothing of this nature is worn to prevent officers becoming contaminated by, or contaminating, a crime scene.
Image PM2265 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
Virtually all methods of drug manufacture involve use of a heating element to facilitate the reaction of the chemicals utilised in their production; a hazardous combination of open flame stove clamps and flammable solvents, such as acetone, create a vast potential for an explosion. The dangers to the immediate surroundings are enormous.
A drug lab, located on the floor of a residential garage.
The Queensland Police continuously tops in number of clandestine laboratories seizures all other states in Australia. As early as 1995, it was more likely than not for an operational officer to eventually come in contact with a ‘clan lab’ in the course of his usual duties. In 2006, the Drug Investigation Unit expanded further and the ILIT Processing Unit (IPU) was organised within the SDUI. In 2012, the Processing Unit was renamed to Drug Lab Processing Unit (DLPU) and expanded to include a Detective Sergeant in charge and five civilian processing staff. Between 2008 and 2009, a total of 148 clandestine laboratories were seized in Queensland. In 2010, 297 labs were detected, while in 2011 the number further increased to 333. From 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014, 529 offenders were arrested on 1,840 charges, including 69 charges of drug trafficking, 151 charges of drug supply and 874 charges of drug production. Approximately $36.9 million worth of drugs and 340 clandestine drug laboratories have been seized state-wide, including 14 laboratories in Townsville and 29 Cairns only.(AR2013-14) Queensland’s Northern Region remains the scene of greatest drug related activities.
A drug lab, located in the laundry of a house.
____________________
This information has been provided by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available. The article was written by Museum Volunteer and Crime and Policing Historian Dr Anastasia Dukova.
The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“FROM the VAULT – The Illicit Lab Investigation Task Force” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode