National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure Report

NATIONAL CLANDESTINE LABORATORY SEIZURE REPORT INSTRUCTIONS
PURPOSE: The National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure Report (EPIC Form 143) (OMB No. 1117-0042) and the
National Seizure System (NSS) include data pertaining to clandestine laboratories seized in the United States by Federal,
State, and local law enforcement agencies. The NSS is a Privacy Act System of Records. The records contained in the system
are under the control and custody of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and are maintained in accordance of
Federal laws and regulations. Use of the information is limited to law enforcement agencies in connection with activities
pertaining to the enforcement of criminal laws. Accordingly, disclosure, release or dissemination of information obtained
through accessing the NSS is strictly prohibited without the express written consent of the DEA. The El Paso Intelligence
Center (EPIC) is the central repository for these data. The data will be useful in determining, among other criteria, the types,
numbers, and locations of laboratories seized; manufacturing trends; the number of children and law enforcement officers
affected; and investigative leads. The data may also be useful to agencies in justifying and allocating current or future
resources. Further information can be obtained on https://www.epic.gov.
TYPE OF REPORT: (top right corner) Check only one box to indicate the type of seizure being reported.
LAB SEIZURE: CLANDESTINE LABORATORY DEFINED: “An illicit operation consisting of a sufficient
combination of apparatus and chemicals that either has been or could be used in the manufacture or synthesis of
controlled substances.” Check this box only if the seizure meets this definition.
CHEM/GLASSWARE/EQUIPMENT SEIZURE: A seizure of only chemicals, glassware, and/or equipment normally
associated with the manufacturing of a controlled/illicit substance, but there is insufficient evidence that the items were
used in the manufacture of a controlled/illicit substance.
DUMPSITE SEIZURE: A location where discarded laboratory equipment, empty chemical containers, waste by
products, pseudoephedrine containers, etc., were abandoned/dumped. There was no lab found with this seizure.
I.

REPORTING OFFICE: Indicate the date of seizure (MMDDYYYY). Identify the seizing agency, ORI number,
agency location (city and state), case or file number, reporting officer (first and last name) and telephone number.
These are mandatory fields. The file title is not a mandatory field, but it can be queried. The primary subject’s
name is often times used as the file title. Under “Reporting Officer/Agent” provide the full name and telephone
number of the person submitting the information and any other person that can be contacted for further information
or investigative referrals. Place additional phone numbers in the Remarks Section. The Authorized Central Storage
(ACS) Cleanup refers to the disposal facility where lab waste and equipment is transported to for temporary storage.
If ACS id used, include the Site ID number. The COPS number (‘S’ number) is assigned by DEA to agencies
requesting DEA funding for lab clean up. If more than one agency was involved in the seizure, the same identifying
information can be placed in the database with each participating agency. Place additional agency information in the
Remarks Section.

II.

SEIZURE LOCATION: Check the box that most closely describes the location of the seizure. Vehicle is used for
anything on wheels, to include cars, trucks, tractor-trailer, recreational vehicles, etc. Family dwelling includes
residences or mobile homes. Use Remarks Section for additional information.

III.

SEIZURE NEIGHBORHOOD: Check the box that most closely describes the surrounding area. An urban area is
a city or town, suburban is the outskirts of a city or town, and rural is the countryside or an agricultural area. If the
seizure occurs on public land, indicate the official name of the land.

IV.

ESTIMATED LAB CAPACITY: Estimate the amount the seized lab could have produced, per cooking cycle,
based on the amount of precursors, chemicals, and equipment at the lab site. This should be a best estimate, based
on on-site observations or intelligence. This field is mandatory if the Type of Report has been checked as a Lab
Seizure.

V.

LABORATORY STATUS: A laboratory is considered operational if all the necessary chemicals and apparatus are
present, and it is set up so that a chemical synthesis can begin within a short period of time. Anything not
considered an operational laboratory should be reported as non-operational. Other choices include Abandoned,
Boxed/Dismantled, or Explosion/Fire. Check all that apply. This field is mandatory if the Type of Report has been
checked as a Lab Seizure.

VI.

LABORATORY TYPE: Check all the laboratory types that apply to the Clan Lab Seizure. If OTHER is selected, a
short description of the Laboratory Type is required.
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EPIC Form 143 Instructions (Rev. 08/2016)

VII.

PRIMARY METHAMPHETAMINE MANUFACTURING PROCESS: Complete if Methamphetamine (Meth)
is selected in Section VI, otherwise leave blank. Only one Primary Methamphetamine Manufacturing Process can be
selected. If OTHER box is checked, a short description of the Methamphetamine Manufacturing Process is required.

VIII.

THC MANUFACTURING PROCESS: Complete if Honey Oil/THC Extraction (liq) is selected in Section VI,
otherwise leave blank. Only one THC Manufacturing Process can be selected.

IX.

SEIZURE/LABORATORY ADDRESS: List the laboratory’s complete address, including county, state, and zip
code. (County and state are mandatory fields.) In the case of a traffic stop, indicate the location of the stop. If a
seizure takes place in a rural area where there are no numbered addresses, put in the closest reference point i.e., 2
miles West of County Road 220. Latitude/longitude for rural labs with no address is the best alternative.

X.

CHEMIST AND CLEAN-UP PERSONNEL: This is no longer a mandatory field. Check the appropriate box
and provide the name of the HAZMAT contractor. Evaluation of Hazmat Contractor is mandatory for all DEA
reported seizures.

XI.

PERSONS AFFECTED: Check all boxes that apply. The number of children affected is a mandatory field. Total
children affected would include children residing (not necessarily present) and any children visiting. (If anyone was
injured or killed at the lab site, provide additional details in the Remarks Section.)

XII.

WEAPONS/EXPLOSIVES SEIZED: Type of weapon is considered a handgun, shotgun, rifle, assault rifle, etc.
The number indicates how many of the same make and models were seized. Under Description, indicate Make,
Model and Caliber of the weapon. If a Booby Trap was encountered, indicate whether it was explosive, chemical or
mechanical and any other identifying information.

XIII.

QUANTITY OF ALL DRUGS SEIZED AT LAB SITE: Check all boxes that apply and provide quantity and unit
of measurement. This category includes finished drugs, unfinished drugs, as well as manufactured drugs in solution
(e.g. 22 grams of meth; 200 milliliters of meth in solution) and other types of drugs found, but not necessarily
manufactured, at the lab site.

XIV.

SUBJECT INFORMATION: Provide the subject’s full name, DOB and address, including county and zip code.
Include any other available identifying information. (Use additional sheets as necessary.)

XV.

REMARKS SECTION: Please use this section to expand on any answers or for any additional relevant
information. (Use additional sheets as necessary.)

To enter clandestine laboratory information directly into the NSS, go to: https://www.epic.gov and request access. Once
issued a user name and password, log on to the EPIC System Portal (ESP), go to the NSS (Report a Seizure Incident or
Laboratory), create an incident and enter required information. For technical assistance contact the EPIC Help Desk 1-915760-2135; Completed National Clandestine Laboratory Seizure Reports can be e-mailed to CLSS@EPIC.gov or faxed to
UNCLASSIFIED (915) 760-2359 or mail to: El Paso Intelligence Center, ATTN: CLS, 11339 SSG Sims Street, El Paso,
Texas 79918-8098.
PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT NOTICE: See Title 44 United States Code, Chapter 35. This form enables law
enforcement agencies to report information concerning the seizure of clandestine laboratories that manufacture illicit
substances. This information will be used by law enforcement agencies to assist in developing effective interdiction
strategies and to allocate resources, and to provide valuable information to policy makers concerning the scope and breadth of
illicit drug manufacturing operations. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, a person is not required to respond to a collection
of information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. We try to create forms and instructions that are accurate, can
be easily understood, and which impose the least possible burden on you to provide us with information. The specific
circumstances surrounding the seizure of a clandestine laboratory may make this a bit more difficult at times. The estimated
average time to complete and file this form is as follows: (1) 10 minutes for the user to become familiar with the form; (2) 15
minutes to complete the form; and (3) 5 minutes to file the form electronically or to prepare the form for mailing, for a total
estimated time of 30 minutes per form. If you have comments regarding the accuracy of this estimate, or suggestions for
making this form simpler, you can write to: Drug Enforcement Administration, El Paso Intelligence Center, 11339 SSG Sims
Street, El Paso, TX 79918-8098. Any agency of the United States government may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is
not required to respond to, a request for collection of information unless it contains a currently valid OMB control number.
EPIC Form 143 has been assigned OMB No. 1117-0042.
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EPIC Form 143 Instructions (Rev. 08/2016)