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The Special Operations Unit maintains a
Clandestine Laboratory Team trained
and certified by the state of California.
Federal and state law require investigators
who work with hazardous
materials (HAZMAT), such as those
found in clandestine drug laboratories,
to complete a total of 40 hours of
instruction and yearly re-certification.
Investigators learn how to safely
process a clandestine laboratory site for
evidence and to ensure their compliance
with the various environmental
and safety regulations that apply to
clandestine laboratory seizure and
dismantling. These investigators must
then receive ongoing training in this
field to maintain their certification.
Clandestine laboratories are most often
associated with methamphetamine
manufacturing but can include the
manufacture of other drugs such as
butane honey oil extraction, steroids,
and organic hallucinogenic compounds
(Dimethyltryptamine).
In the interest of protecting children
who are exposed to drugs, drug
manufacturing and the dangers that
exist with this activity, the Sheriff’s
Office participates in the California
Multi-Jurisdictional Methamphetamine
Enforcement Team
(Cal-MMET) Program. The Cal-MMET
grant funds two Sheriff’s narcotics
investigators who receive specialized
training in the field of Drug
Endangered Children (DEC) investigations.
Many DEC investigations
involve a multi-agency approach to
developing strategies to protect
children. Sheriff’s investigators work
closely with the District Attorney’s
Office and the Department of Social
Services to keep children safe and
prosecute those who would expose
them to the dangers of illicit drugs.
Some of the current trends in narcotics
are heroin use and sales and butane
honey oil extraction labs. Additionally,
the unit has also responded to ongoing
maritime smuggling operations involving
Panga boats. Drug trafficking
organizations utilize these boats for
drugs and human trafficking in coastal
counties in California. In 2014 and 2015,
San Luis Obispo County consistently
had one of the highest numbers of
confirmed Panga boat landings in the
state of California. Due to aggressive
detection and prosecution, no known
boats landed nor were interdicted
in 2020.
Lastly, in addition to the above duties,
the Special Operations Unit also assists
other units within the Investigative
Services Bureau with surveillance and
intelligence gathering of various
persons of interest, search warrant
service and wiretap investigations.
LEAD THE WAY ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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