eLesson: Illicit drugs laboratories - Cocaine extraction and processing

If you are not yet proficient in identifying and investigating illicit cocaine extraction and processing laboratories, this eLesson can be a good starting point. It will help you deal with the dangers related to cocaine extraction and processing and will equip you to prevent and combat drug-related crimes.

This eLesson delivers a virtual tour of an illegal cocaine extraction and processing facility detailing the characteristics of secondary conversion laboratories; the chemicals, equipment and methods used; the hazards to be aware of; and the essential safety measures that must be taken by law enforcement officials who discover and/or are involved in investigating and dismantling such sites. These topics can be explored by browsing a series of interactive hotspot that are linked to photos, explanatory voice-overs, texts, and videos. #The tour can be taken from any computer or mobile device or by using virtual reality goggles.

The eLesson also contains a glossary of terms and abbreviations, a job aid with concrete tips and suggestions for law enforcement officials who encounter suspected cocaine extraction and processing laboratories and links to relevant external sources for further in-depth study.

eLearners can check their levels of understanding of the topic by considering a selection of quiz questions. Upon successful completion of the session, participants will obtain a badge and certificate.

The learning outcomes of this eLesson are to:

1. Recall the general steps of, and requirements for, cocaine extraction and processing;
2. Detail the essential chemicals (including solvents and reagents) and equipment used in the secondary conversion of cocaine for distribution by organised crime groups;
3. Name the measures that organised crime groups take to avoid detection, including the equipment used for this purpose;
4. List the evidential value for future prosecutions of the industrial and custom-made equipment, materials, and other artefacts found in illicit cocaine extraction and processing facilities;
5. Describe the hazards associated with illicit cocaine extraction and processing laboratories and the countermeasures that should be taken when approaching such sites;
6. Explain the safety measures and preventive steps that non-specialist law enforcement officials should take when approaching illicit cocaine extraction and processing facilities.

Estimated study time: 60 minutes

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