Interview with a DRUG COP

A former narcotics officer shares insights into the clandestine production and distribution of PCP, describing the methods used to track clandestine laboratories and identifying the role of street gangs in the drug trade. The conversation highlights the logistical challenges of investigating these operations, where chemical precursors are often transported across the country. Specific anecdotes illustrate the practical difficulties law enforcement faces in identifying production sites. The discussion touches upon historical aspects of PCP use, including its initial development as a dissociative anesthetic and its transit through both medical and illicit channels. Observations clarify that while PCP is often associated with the 1970s, it remains an active and profitable component of the illicit drug market in certain regions.