Meth Lab Seizures In Jefferson County

Crystal meth is the shortened name for Crystal Methamphetamine, commonly known as "meth".  This is a dangerous drug in the same class as cocaine but is even more addictive than cocaine.  

What does meth have to do with real estate?

Most people's only knowledge of meth is what they may hear on the news and, other than that, may give it little thought, and it is certainly not something typically thought of when buying a home.  However, given to the toxicity of the ingredients used to make meth and the danger it poses to people that come in contact with it for years afterwards, it can be a serious health risk to a homeowner that buys a home that was previously used as a meth lab.  Missouri led the list of states with the most meth labs for a few years and, while has dropped on the list, is still one of the leading states in the country for the presence of meth labs.  Within the St Louis metro area, Jefferson County is the County with the biggest presence of meth labs and therefore poses the greatest risk to homebuyers of unknowingly purchasing a home that was used in the production of meth in the past.

What are signs that a house is, or was, being used as a meth lab?

Accroding to the U.S. Department of Justice, signs that a methamphetaimine laboratory may be present incluce:

• Unusual odors (ether, ammonia, acetone, or other chemicals)
• Excessive amounts of trash, particularly chemical containers (see list of products and equipment), coffee filters or pieces of cloth that are stained red, and duct tape rolls
• Curtains always drawn or windows covered with aluminium foil or blackened on residences, garages, sheds, or other structures
• Evidence of chemical waste or dumping
• Frequent visitors, particularly at unusual times
• Extensive security measures or attempts to ensure privacy (no trespassing or beware of dog signs, fences, large trees or shrubs)

How to protect yourself when buying a home from buying one with a history of meth:

One thing to remember is that thanks to the effort of law enforcement officials, restrictions on products used in meth production, etc, the numbe rof meth labs have droppd significantly in the past few years.  However, given the fact that the health risks posed by the meth chemicals last for years, there are still hundreds of homes that are potentially impacted, particulary in Jefferson County.

In additoin to being on the lookout for the signs of meth production, such as those listed above, a homebuyer can also consider the following:

• Know the history of the house.  This is something our agents can easily do for their clients.  For example, if the same owner has owned the home for many years that makes the home less risk then perhaps one that was foreclosed on in the past couple of years, then rehabbed and flipped.  
• Consider having the home tested for the presence of meth-related chemicals as part of your building inspection process or you can even do yourself with kits that are available.
• Check the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Database of meth lab seizures to see if the address of the home you are considering purchasing is in the database.  We have provided links below to the lists for your convenience.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Deparment Data Base of Meth Lab Seizures 

The addresses contained in the lists linked to above are provided by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and is provided by them, and shared by this site, as as a public service. The lists contain the addresses of some locations where the Sheriff’s Office has found chemicals or other items that indicated the presence of clandestine drug laboratories, glassware seizures, or dumpsites.  It is important that you verify the accuracy of all information contained on the lists and understand that this is not a complete list of all homes with a meth-lab risk. The Jefferson County Sheriff's office, as well as this site, make no warranty, representation or guaranty is made or implied regarding the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the data provided herein. The public should not act or refrain from acting based on entries on this website. This site and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office do not accept responsibility or liability for damages of any kind resulting from reliance on an entry or lack of an entry on this website. If you believe that any of the information found in these records is in error, please contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at P.O. Box 100, Hillsboro, Missouri 63050 or (636) 797-5000.