New Delhi, June 9 -- Concerned over India emerging as a major hub for clandestine laboratories manufacturing synthetic drugs such as amphetamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy pills, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has asked police chiefs of all states and Union territories to alert their beat officers about the red flags to identify such laboratories in their respective areas. The nodal drug law enforcement and intelligence agency has also asked the states and UTs to educate the public about such red flags of suspicious laboratories in their localities. "The emergence of synthetic drugs such as mephedrone, methamphetamine, MDMA, etc pose a growing threat to public health and national security. Unlike traditional narcotic crops, synthetic drugs which are more addictive and harmful to health can be produced entirely from chemical precursors, often in concealed laboratories that mimic legitimate industrial or residential setups," NCB director general Anurag Garg said in a communique to the director generals of police (DGPs) of states and UTs last week. Law enforcement experience in India, Garg said, reveals that these illegal manufacturing units mostly operate discreetly in leased premises in industrial areas or isolated locations and use precursor chemicals, many of which are used in legitimate industry. "Often, there is organised syndicate which runs such establishments and members are past narco-offenders who bring in chemists also in the syndicate, as manufacturing drugs is a highly skilled job," he added. "It is vital that beat constables, field officers and SHO level officials are made aware of the emerging threat of synthetic drugs and trained to observe early warning signs and respond appropriately. From the experience gained from investigation of clandestine lab cases, it can be concluded that personnel must remain alert to the red flags about possible existence of clandestine laboratories during patrols or intelligence gathering," Garg added. Garg stressed that no premature raids should be carried out but beat officers must discreetly inform supervisory officers and alert the local NCB unit. "Since it is an emerging threat about which police officers need to be educated, it is requested that briefing sessions may be conducted during monthly crime meetings of district SP and during roll calls of SHO of police stations. The public can be educated to report suspicious activity," the letter added. NCB listed the red flags, which include buildings with covered or blacked-out windows and CCTV around the perimeter; strong odours of chemical, unusual ventilation equipment; unusual high electricity usage, etc....