Policy Text
Property Bureau Page 1 of 3 58/07.0 (REV 2/96)
METHOD OF DISPOSAL FOR PROPERTY RELEASED ON A PERMANENT BASIS
(CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES)
The purpose of this order is to o utline the procedure for the d isposal of property
(controlled substance) on a permanent basis.
I. Controlled Substance Description
A. Authority
1. Health and Safety Code Secti ons 11470, 11473, 11473.5, 11475 ,
and 11476 and Section 1417.6 PC provi de for the confiscation an d
forfeiture of controlled subst ances and plants from which contr olled
substances are derived.
2. Section 11474 H&S permits t he destruction of controlled
substances by the Sheriff after the acquisition of a court orde r to
that effect.
3. Section 11479 H&S permits t he destruction of a suspected
controlled substance in excess of ten pounds gross weight or a
suspected hazardous chemical involved in the unlawful
manufacture of a controlled subst ance in excess of two fluid ou nces
without obtaining a court order. The fo llowing requirements must be
met prior to such destruction.
a. Five random, dry samples or one 2-ounce fluid sample must
be taken.
b. Photographs must be taken t hat demonstrate the amount.
c. Gross weight must be determi ned by either weighing or
estimating using dimens ional measurements.
d. An affidavit shall be filed in the court which has jurisdict ion
within 30 days.
Property Bureau Page 2 of 3 58/07.0 (REV 2/96)
B. Methods of Disposal
1. Controlled substances in ma tter form and plants from which
controlled substances are derived are burned using an
environmentally approved incinerator.
2. Controlled substances in liqui d form are delivered to Americ an
Environmental Management Cor poration for destruction.
C. Preparing for a Narcotics Burn
1. The 3” x 5” index card file fo r cleared controlled substance s is used
to determine which property rec eipt/reports containing controll ed
substances are cleared for release.
2. The appropriate property recei pt/reports are pulled and revi ewed by
two property officers to verify t hat all release criteria has b een met
(refer to Operations Order 57/00.0).
3. The controlled substances on each of the clearable property
receipt/reports are pull ed from their location.
4. On a case that contains a l arge quantity of controlled subst ance
(excluding marijuana), the proper ty officer will ensure the Cri me
Lab seal affixed to the narcotics envelope or container is inta ct. If
the seal has been broken, the co ntrolled subst ance will be sent to
the Crime Lab for re-analysis. Note : If the second analysis varies
from the first, the matter will be immediately referred to the property
supervisor and the controlled su bstance will not be destroyed u ntil
the situation has been resolved.
5. The controlled substance des truction list will be given a le tter
number from the “letter records lo g” and submitted to a local j udge
for signature.
6. The controlled substance is t hen removed from the original
packaging and consolidated into large paper bags. These bags ar e
packed as tightly as possible to allow for a cleaner burn. Note :
Controlled substances in liq uid form will be segregated for
transportation to the American Environmental Management
Corporation.
D. The property officer will a rrange a date to conduct the burn . A patrol escort
shall accompany the property officer to the burn site.
Property Bureau Page 3 of 3 58/07.0 (REV 2/96)
E. The property receipt/report will be signed off after the con trolled substance
has been destroyed. The item num ber(s), letter number, date of
destruction, and the name and badge number of the property offi cer
completing the destruc tion will be logged.
F. The property receipt/report will be re-filed in the appropri ate file and all
statistical information will be recorded (refer to Operations O rder 55/00.0
and 60/00.0).