Pubdate: Thu, 07 Feb 2013
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2013 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Douglas Quan

STORING EVIDENCE IN DRUG SEIZURES PRICEY, RISKY

The RCMP is becoming increasingly concerned about potential liability 
from longterm storage of hazardous materials seized from drug labs.

Mounties are especially concerned about the potential for leaks, 
explosions or unforeseen chemical reactions from the extended storage 
of certain precursor chemicals - the ingredients used to make synthetic drugs.

Their concerns are contained in a report commissioned by Health 
Canada to examine the costs of managing controlled substances, 
production equipment and other related items seized by police.

Growing domestic production of drugs has led to increased seizures, 
which have "created pressures on the management and disposal" of 
controlled substances and related items, said the December 2011 
report, obtained by Postmedia News under access-to-information laws.

Sara Lauer, a spokeswoman for Health Canada, said the federal 
government is using the report to look at "potential amendments" to 
federal rules regulating the storage and disposal of controlled 
substances and related property. She didn't elaborate.

Currently, when police come across a drug operation, the 
responsibility for managing the seized items falls under different 
agencies. Controlled substances, for instance, are the responsibility 
of Health Canada.

Other items related to the drug operation, known as "offence-related 
property," are the responsibility of either the police agency or a 
branch of Public Works and Government Services Canada, which operates 
seven warehouses across the country. Property can include everything 
from precursor chemicals to production equipment to "proceeds of 
crime," such as cars and boats. Nationwide, the cost of managing all 
these items is "at least" $25 million a year, the report estimated.

While most controlled substances are typically destroyed within a 
year of being seized, offence-related property can be held for 
several years, the report said. Drawn-out court proceedings are 
typically the cause.

But the RCMP suggests that some offence-related property is of no 
value to the owner after it's been seized by police, so there's no 
point waiting until a court case is over to decide what to do with it.

Precursor chemicals, for instance, are typically stored in large 
drums with other chemicals, leaving them "physically 
undistinguishable and impure," according to the report.

Given the potential risks to the environment from "unintended 
releases" and the "risk to the public around the storage site in the 
event of a release, explosion or reaction of stored chemicals," the 
report suggests one option might be for the federal government to 
just allow for the "immediate destruction" of these chemicals upon seizure.

Cpl. Luc Chicoine, an RCMP synthetic drug expert in Ottawa, said 
there are certain seized items, such as volatile chemicals or 
corrosive acids, that should be destroyed immediately.

Chicoine said he is aware of some "minor" leaks that have occurred in 
the past but nothing that posed a health threat. Still, he said, 
"those items are dangerous," he said. "They shouldn't be stored."

The RCMP also suggests there may be little value in storing 
hydroponic and other equipment seized from marijuana grow-operations, 
such as lamps, wiring, fans and tubing, when these items will most 
likely end up being destroyed or recycled.

Most marijuana-related equipment in storage is typically valued at $1 
a piece, but each item can cost $155 to manage, according to the 
report. The report suggests it might just make more sense to destroy 
or recycle low-value hydroponics and other equipment "immediately 
upon or shortly after seizure."

The same can probably be said of beat-up vehicles, Chicoine said.

"If we seize a $25 vehicle - an old beater - why do we store that 
vehicle at $200 a month? Why are we keeping that? Let's get rid of it 
right away," he said, suggesting that if the owner is found to be not 
guilty, he can be reimbursed for the cost of the car.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom