Posted by NCLisa on 3/7/08 9:53pm
Msg #238468

I'm pretty sure the last closing I did tonight had a meth

lab in the house. I smelled it about 2 feet from the front of the house, the chemical stench inside gave me a headache and made me sick. The guy was very up, and by the time we were 3/4 through, I could of sworn he was jonesing then his wife leaned over and whispered, just a few more docs babe it'll be ok. Talk about weird, and I had no proof of anything, so the last thing I was going to do was ask if someone was "using" and stop the closing. I decided once I was sure what the smell in the house was that I was finishing the closing and leaving asap. I did the closing in 23 minutes.

Reply by Teresa/FL on 3/7/08 10:43pm
Msg #238470

Are you planning on reporting your suspicions to anyone?

At least the TC? I would think the lender might want to know if the property was being used for an illegal purpose.

Reply by jba/fl on 3/7/08 10:47pm
Msg #238472

Re: Are you planning on reporting your suspicions to anyone?

My thought was for children poss. there....legal authorities might need to be notified. The 'clean up' of a meth lab is phenominal (?), and so on...this is one of your community

Reply by Doris_CO on 3/7/08 11:18pm
Msg #238475

Re: Are you planning on reporting your suspicions to anyone?

With some Countrywide loans that I've closed, the Deed of Trust has a Hazardous Materials clause in it. The mortgage company might be interested in your observations. However, you might consider whether you want to tell them as the notary - or - notify your suspicions to the local drug task force anonymously.

Reply by Teresa/FL on 3/7/08 11:24pm
Msg #238476

All standard mortgages in Florida have a Haz Mat clause n/m

Reply by CJ on 3/7/08 11:47pm
Msg #238477

I would report it to the proper authorities anonymously.

If they find out it was you, what if they say you gave them advice about the loan or something else to get you in big trouble? Or, maybe some people at title are crooked, and they want to close the loan no matter what. That could come back to bite you. But if authorities randomly come down on them, whose to say it's your fault?

That's just how I would do it. I would do my duty as a signing agent like I would with any other borrower. Then when I got back home, I would do my duty as a law abiding citizen. Notaries are by default supposed to be honest and have integrity, so how can we sit by with our mouths closed when we see things that are not right? I can't do it.

Reply by Teresa/FL on 3/7/08 11:56pm
Msg #238478

Re: I would report it to the proper authorities anonymously.

The TC and lender should be notified as well.

If arrests are made, the borrowers will not be able to make their loan payments and maybe the property could be seized, depending on the laws in your state.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 3/8/08 1:50am
Msg #238479

Call the 'We Tip" hotline. If there was a meth lab there,

then you were lucky it did not blow up before the closing. That's usually how they end up. If you want an idea of what one usually smells like, spray a little bit from a can of starting fluid that is used to start engines when they have been sitting for long time. That is pretty close ....

Reply by SueW/Tn on 3/8/08 2:34am
Msg #238481

This is a no brainer

Meth labs are extremely dangerous, the entire neighborhood is at risk IF that's what it is. I wouldn't care one ounce what anyone thought or said, I'd make a phone call in less than a second. The authorities aren't going to give anyone information about you, geez...they just need to walk by the place and IF it's a lab they'll have cause. That stuff is a time bomb waiting to go off.

Reply by sue_pa on 3/8/08 5:53am
Msg #238482

Just curious Lisa, what does a meth lab smell like? I think most of us over a certain age recognize marijuana, but I've got no idea about meth. I do know what it looks like because I watch way too much tv !!! But, can't they just clean the kitchen up really fast? My impression has always been that this is done in rental properties so they can move on every so often. Another thought is that if I were doing something illegal in my kitchen, I wuoldn't allow a stranger to walk into my house. I also realize, again from tv, how dangerous they are and how paranoid the people are so I, the queen of government staying out of anyone's personal business, would also report this, if I KNEW what was going on. As for the lender, how long does it take to set one of these sites up? An appraisal was probably done a week or two previously.

Reply by NCLisa on 3/8/08 6:21am
Msg #238484

No appraisal was done. This was one of those streamline loans with no appraisal, not paperwork, not much of anything. He was getting lots of cash out.

The smell is just a very strong chemical smell, not like insecticide, but chemical. It makes my stomach queasy.

They don't just use rental houses, my parents lived in a very expensive neighborhood in Danville, CA where their house sold for $800,000. A neighbor 3 houses down had a meth lab in their home. The owners of a house next door to one I rented in Martinez, CA had a meth lab, and they blew all the doors and windows out one day. We thought there was an earthquake, but when we went outside, the house next door had all broken windows and doors.

The people I did the closing for last night were secondaries, not smart enough to be running this on their own. He works for a chemical company that supplies to the large drug companies in the Reasearch Triangle, I noticed that when I got to the loan app. They use their product, are highly unstable and paranoid and probably have weapons in the house. I KNOW it was in my best interest to get this closing done, and leave like I knew nothing was going on.

I also know it is in my best interest, to call the cops anonymously on Monday with my suspicions. I have no proof, but I'm sure the 2 neighbors in the culdesac that have their homes for sale do. Looks like the neighbors decided it was safer to move than call the cops!

Some of you don't realize, that our names and addresses can be found on the net with just a search of our phone numbers. If the cops show up next week, and not this weekend, then just maybe they won't think I was the one that reported them. I'm just not going to get myself or my family killed over reporting a meth lab! And I'm surely not going to tell the lender, this is one of those huge companies where the LO won't care, and will tell the borrower "the notary thinks you have a drug lab in your home". What do you think will happen then? You guys really think that drug dealers won't hurt you? The world I grew up in, they do.

Reply by SueW/Tn on 3/8/08 10:47am
Msg #238496

I understand your thought process Lisa and bottom line it comes down to risk. How sad a commentary on our civilization when a citizen is afraid to report law breakers...law breakers that cost us all in our civil rights. Meth labs is a big reason why you can't buy cold meds over the counter anymore without showing ID. Cooking meth results in big dollar cash flows and as the song goes "the lure of easy money", bottom line every citizen has to make a decision on what they will and will not allow in their community. Crack dealers/cooks with 7th grade educations driving Hummers...a truly sad commentary on our country and our world.

In my state a "secondary" (not smart enough to run this on their own) makes more money in a day than I do in a year. They've even busted meth labs operating out of a car! Homes are confiscated and the clean-up is huge! I've read that even though homes get the "all clear" once the clean-up is done the lasting effects are still life threatening. A close family member was once a meth addict and from first hand experience I can tell you that the paranoia is unlike anything I've ever seen. When I called NarcAnon about his usage a former addict told me "you either clean up or die, only two choices with this drug". When I made my initial post it was with those words echoing in my memory banks and I always think about the innocents involved...the children. That far outweighs any fear that I have, this is why the drug business has evolved into what it is today. The "home cooker" USUALLY does it only for personal use and for their friends making enough to cover the cost of survival. If your BO's home doesn't blow up and kill or mame innocent neighbors and children it will most definitely be on the "foreclosure list". I agree I wouldn't say anything to the lender or TC BUT I would be talking to detectives.

Reply by FLdocrunner on 3/8/08 6:36am
Msg #238485

As a certified fire fighter and first responder, I took a lot of training to prepare for fighting fires caused by meth labs. I worked with local authorities on identification processes of these labs.

The local authorities need to know about this danger in that neighborhood. It could save countless innocent lives! Neighbors, including children in the neighborhood, fire fighters and police are all in danger and you know that danger is lurking out there for all of them.

As a notary signing agent, I think I would keep my impartial mouth shut so as not to bring any trouble home to your door step. Revenge by the home owners is a real threat and you probably live close enough to have a real concern. After all, the authorities carry the badge and gun, all you have is your brief case! I don't think I would trust the title company or lender to keep my identity as the informant secret. The police, on the other hand, are obligated to.

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 3/8/08 9:50am
Msg #238490

I once served someone with legal process who had...

three marijuana plants sitting graciously in their living room. They also had a few baggies filled with it lying on their table.

I was nervous because it was their minor child who told me to come in and wait in the living room area while she went up to get her dad (the person I was serving). When the father came down, I could tell he was just as nervous, if not more nervous, then I was!

I played it off like I didn't know what the plants/baggies were. As soon as I left, I immediately called the police and reported what I seen. The police took my statement and requested a search warrant based on the evidence I provided them with. --------- I was told I will have to go to court in the future......... It's now been over 6 months and I haven't heard a thing.

If I ever went into a house with a meth lab, I would have left immediately. With my luck it would have blown up while I was there. Or even worse, the police would be executing a search warrant while I was present and I'd get in trouble for being in a place where drugs are.

Reply by Korey Humphreys on 3/8/08 9:53am
Msg #238491

They knew you were coming, so I'm surprised they didn't want

to find another location for the signing. I know if I had a meth lab, the last thing I want is a public officer in my house!!! LOL

Reply by ZeeCA on 3/8/08 11:57am
Msg #238501

It is so simple to say this is what I would do when it is

someone else... but I agree that when you and yours could be in danger you have to think it thru so all will be safe.... the news here tells neighbors how to know if it could be... One of the most common the vents on the top of the house are usually bigger and they are rusted from the meth.... you could say that you were walking by and saw that in your neighborhood and wanted the police to know about it.........

best of luck to you Lisa.....

Reply by NCLisa on 3/8/08 8:44pm
Msg #238548

STOP PM'ING ME!

I will do what I consider best.

Reply by NJ_Notary on 3/8/08 11:42pm
Msg #238575

PLEASE BE CAREFUL

Sorry for the caps folks, but a meth lab is not someting to mess around with. I personally know another REO real estate agent who went into a home after the eviction and found the meth lab in the basement. She passed out and it became an extremly serious issue. Unfortuantely, meth labs are becoming more and more popular. I have read several articles in Default Servicing magazine as well pharmaceutical magazines ( I am a CPhT aka Certified Pharmacy Technician, pre real estate era, and for c.e. credits have to read certain mags, etc.) and this issue has come up on several occasion. Basically im just saying be careful and if u suspect it, get out and get out as fast as you can. Its for your own safety and well being. Meth labs are not something to mess around with. Sorry if I seem so dramtic or critical but I just dont want to see anyone from the board here get hurt in anyway.

God Bless!

Reply by Cari on 3/9/08 8:48pm
Msg #238662

NICE LANGUAGE...what are you 15...grow up!

"Like they won't have f*ucking clue that the notary that was there last night called. Use your f*cking brain.

PS STOP PM'ING ME!"