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: 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.