What do the police do with the drugs that they seize?

Question

I am sitting here watching Cops, and I was curious as to what they do with the drugs they seize from people. I don't think that they could burn it, or can they? If you want to give a rude answer, keep it moving.

Answer 1

My dad use to haul drugs seized by the police to an incinerator...he had an armed escort the whole way. My neighbor who was a police officer said that after it is no longer needed as evidence it is either disposed of (hence the incinerator) or sometimes they use it to set up fake deals and traps for users & pushers or to set up really big stings.

Answer 2

To my knowledge, it depends on the amount and the agency's policies but whatever is not held as evidence is destroyed. Destroyed as in incinerated. No, they don't have a big bon fire when they take down a marijuana grow, lol. Although I think that would be funny to watch.

Sometimes the drugs are given to K9 officers for training aids. It is an extremely controlled process however, I believe the drug distribution for this purpose is overseen by the DEA though. If your a K9 officer who's lost your dope, you're going to have a bad day. It has to accounted for at all times.

Answer 3

Normally the drugs are held until a court order to destroy it is signed by a judge. Once it is signed then yes, it is burned. Normally in an incinerator, but in the old days they used to dig a pit, start a fire, then throw it in. Most hospitals have incinerators and allow the police to use them, so you don't have the fumes clouding the environment.

Answer 4

Used for evidence, training purposes for K-9 officers, used sometimes for education purposes, or destroyed. No the officers don't sell it, use it, or put it back out on the streets. Most of it usually burned or discarded the right way.
I wish they would destroy all of it personally, but they need some of it for the reasons above.

Answer 5

ALSO, the entire process of burning evidence in an incinerator is video taped.

Answer 6

Put into evidence then after the court it is destroyed after it is signed off by a judge.

Answer 7

Suppose to be turn in as evidence, and destroyed after the case is over, but in reality, who knows?

Answer 8

In a perfect world, it gets destroyed safely. I think some can be burned, some go out in the sewage. They do a controlled burn, so that the chemicals aren't harmful. EPA handles it - that's the way it is suppose to be done. I wonder too.

Answer 9

they will hold it for a trial as evidence. once the trial is over it is usually burned or destroyed in another manner

Answer 10

After it is held for evidence/trial, it is supposed to be discarded. For some reason, I speculate that some gets back onto the street...but that may be my cynicism.