Pubdate: Sun, 21 Jan 2001
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2001 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125
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Author: Associated Press

STATE RUNNING OUT OF ROOM FOR SEIZED DRUG EVIDENCE

TULSA -- The Oklahoma Highway Patrol plans to build a facility to house 
evidence seized in drug raids, a project that's expected to be completed in 
September or October.

That can't come soon enough for the patrol.

"We are taking so many drugs off of the roadways in this state, the 
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has run out of places to put it," 
said Pete Norwood, patrol spokesman.

Normally, drugs confiscated by troopers are taken to the OSBI to be 
analyzed and stored. But the OSBI has notified other law enforcement 
agencies that it will hold evidence for only up to two years after that 
evidence has been analyzed, agency spokeswoman Kym Koch said.

After that, the OSBI will return the evidence to the confiscating agency or 
destroy it, Koch said.

During 2000, troopers seized 14,778 pounds of marijuana, compared with 
9,182 pounds the previous year, Norwood said. The highway patrol also 
seized 485 pounds of cocaine, up from 331 pounds in 1999, Norwood said.

Troopers seized 128 pounds of methamphetamine, an increase from 54 pounds 
seized the year before, Norwood said.

"There is more out there," Norwood said of the increased seizures. "The 
drug problem is rising."

Part of the reason for increases in confiscations is an increase in 
personnel assigned to the task, he said.

The OSBI is one of the few agencies that stores evidence after it has been 
analyzed, Koch said. The OSBI lab is seeking accreditation with the 
American Society of Crime Lab Directors, which has strict regulations 
regarding evidence storage, she said.

"It is a very intense process," Koch said. "We have been working on it for 
three years."

The OSBI doesn't have the manpower to ensure that evidence stored over 
lengthy periods is properly sealed, she said.
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