Increased thefts of the fertilizer anhydrous ammonia point to an increase in methamphetamine production in the Central and Southern Districts. Most of the methamphetamine laboratories seized in Illinois involve the Nazi production method. Anhydrous ammonia, which produces a hazardous and volatile environment, is used in the Nazi method to speed the production of methamphetamine. According to DEA, most anhydrous ammonia thieves are addicted to methamphetamine and are willing to go to great lengths to obtain the ammonia, which they sell or exchange for methamphetamine. Law enforcement agencies report a wave of anhydrous ammonia thefts from farms and supply outlets in the Central and Southern Districts.
Farmers store anhydrous ammonia as a liquid under pressure in large tanks in their fields.
Thieves remove locks from tanks with bolt cutters and use garden or vacuum hoses to siphon the ammonia from the tanks. Methamphetamine production is a serious safety and environmental concern. The production process creates toxic and hazardous waste that endangers law enforcement personnel, emergency response teams, and the environment. Methamphetamine laboratories may contain a variety of highly flammable toxic chemicals and vapors. Clandestine laboratories produce 5-6 pounds of toxic waste for every pound of methamphetamine produced.