Signs of Trouble: Constant Burning

Many meth cooks have either burn barrels or burn piles where

they accomplish two things;

One, they burn the evidence of their pursuits (dozens of cold 

medicine boxes, chemicals, batteries, aerosol spray cans, etc)

so there's nothing left to implicate them, and

Two, have the burning stuff hopefully cover up the smell generated

by the meth production itself.

So, in order to keep that fire going long enough to provide cover,

you might see household garbage, yard waste, and anything else 

being set afire. And the burning of household trash is toxic as

well due to the high amounts of plastics, chemicals, styrofoam,

and other unnatural items we dispose of daily.

Signs of Trouble: Toxic Smells

Even if you don't have a highly-sensitive nose, you'll probably be able to 

notice the smell of meth being cooked.

When manufacture is taking place, there is a deeply-penetrating, toxic, 

chemical odor being released. This smoke is not always visible, and 

certainly less so when the meth is (typically) cooked at night, but there

is no mistaking the smell.

Think of a chemical fire, plus plastic burning, plus freshly-painted

rooms, brand new carpet, all added together. It will make you squint your 

eyes, it may make your nose run, it can make your throat sore, and it is most

definitely a danger to you, your kids, and your pets to be inhaling it.

Our closest non-meth-cooking neighbors were several thousand feet away 

across the street, and they smelled the lingering smoke at their houses.

Due to the make-up of the toxins, the smoke also creates a problem when

it settles and leaves a film on nearby things, particularly absorbent materials 

like wood, cloth, etc. 

There are also health risks to anyone having secondary contact with the

items covered in the film; people washing the cookers' clothes, shaking hands,

touching items that were covered, and so on.

As is always the case, the dealer/user is not at all concerned with the

well-being of those harmed by their selfishness. Our meth-cookers stored 

boxes of candy for the local school fundraiser in the shed where the meth 

was made. And allowed their children to play in and around the shed.

Signs of Trouble: Used Batteries

You may not have access to the trash of the neighbor or family member in 

question, but many times they're not concerned with covering up their

dangerous exploits.

It's normal to find burn barrels or piles of burned, discarded batteries

right out in the open, or in a container outside of the garage, studio, or 

shed being used in the making of meth.

Of course, if you spot someone on the front end of things buying an 

inordinate amount of batteries, or hoarding them in a workshop, that's

easy to put together, too.

Beyond the making of meth being extremely hazardous due to the toxicity

of the smoke--and the residue created by the manufacture--the

burning of batteries is dangerous due to potential flash fires and explosions.

Illegal disposal of batteries (in a yard, at the landfill, etc) is also harmful, 

as the poisons drain through the ground and contaminate the water table.

Be on the lookout for a concentration of batteries, or a disposal site on property.