Fake Drug Investigations carried out by police - record coke bust was gypsum, and more

WFAA Texas ^

[chance33_98]

Bolton: Procedures for police could cost $1 million a year

03/21/2002

By ROBERT THARP / The Dallas Morning News

Police Chief Terrell Bolton fielded questions for more than three hours today during his first public briefing to the City Council on a series of questionable drug investigations that have resulted in a federal probe and dozens of dismissed cases.

While the chief repeatedly told council members that a pending lawsuit and on-going investigation prevented him from discussing how the faulty cases went unnoticed for more than a year, council members were told that steps taken to tighten those procedures will cost the department $1 million a year.

Because of the narcotics cases now under scrutiny, every drug case handled by Dallas police – including small quantities that amount to misdemeanor charges – are now immediately sent out for a thorough lab analysis. That process, which assures that seized substances are actually illegal drugs, costs about $280 for each test and will amount to about $1 million annually, the chief said.

Background

Coverage of the ongoing investigation from The Dallas Morning News and WFAA.

The funding source for those tests has not been determined.

Many on the council welcomed the briefing by the chief about the matter and questioned why he didn't act sooner.

"This briefing is long overdue," said council member John Loza. "It's something that should have happened a long time ago."

Council member Elba Garcia said those who were targeted in the arrests and spent months in jail deserve an apology.

"When I think about justice, it has to be color blind," she said. "I would like to apologize to all the citizens who were treated unfairly."

According to a timeline of the cases presented by Chief Bolton, police were first informed by Dallas County prosecutors in September that a lab analysis of a record-setting cocaine bust found that the substance was not illegal drugs but gypsum, the main ingredient in Sheetrock.

By November, prosecutors had identified nine questionable cases, prompting an internal investigation.

As a result of the investigation, two undercover police detectives are now on paid leave pending an FBI investigation, and more than 60 felony cases have been dismissed out of concern about the credibility of the department's informants and the officers involved.

[chance33_98]

This is scary.

[chance33_98]

Forgot the pic of the police chief:

[FreePaul]

You don't think that those illegally possing sheet rock should be punished? You must be one of those Liberty terrians I've heard about. Or are you just anti-police? On the other hand is Dallas really that much different (except that they got caught)?

[chance33_98]

You don't think that those illegally possing sheet rock should be punished?

OH I missed the part about it being illegal :) Isn't there a drug bump list somewhere around here...

[lelio]

Think this one might of been posted before your copy. There is a WOD drug list, already been indexed to it

[chance33_98]

Hmmm I searched on Texas and Drugs and did not see it. THANK YOU.

[FreePaul]

OH I missed the part about it being illegal

I didn't think it was but the police arrested them for having it. The police couldn't be wrong, could they?

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

As a result of the investigation, two undercover police detectives are now on paid leave pending...

There's a hell of a plan. Reward them with a paid vacation, that'll teach 'em a lesson!

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

...police were first informed by Dallas County prosecutors in September that a lab analysis of a record-setting cocaine bust found that the substance was not illegal drugs but gypsum, the main ingredient in Sheetrock.

On the TV show COPS, I always see the cops do a field test on the drugs they seize to see if it turns color, indicating a positive test for coke or meth. I guess those field tests are just done for the cameras and are not part of regular police procedure.

How many people have had their cars and stuff seized for possession of talcom powder and Sweet'n'Low?

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Anyone who would question any law enforcement official's actions is a traitor. Any time you question a law enforcement official you are desecrating the graves of the FDNY firefighters who died on 9/11/2002. These people should just shut up and serve their time for public safety and the children. And diversity too.

[waterstraat]

When are you DRug War FReaks going to win the drug war? and end this nonsense and waste of my tax dollars? You have had almost 90 years now, and I dont even see the light at the end of the tunnel that Johnson always talked about. In fact, I see drugs more in use now, than they were in 1912, I see more marijuanna smokers now than in 1939 when it was outlawed.

HOW STUPID CAN ANYONE BE TO SUPPORT THE DRUG LAWS/DRUG WAR?

"When they handed out brains, you drug law supporters got the short end of the stick".

[Jonathon Spectre]

War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.

We are winning.

[Kenny Bunk]

Hold on Freepers.

THE QUESTION HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REAL DRUGS WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY WERE SEIZED?

[razorback-bert]

This is old news, there were no real drugs.

Just more war on cash.

[SpookBrat]

*PING*

[uncbob]

HOW STUPID CAN ANYONE BE TO SUPPORT THE DRUG LAWS/DRUG WAR?

You forgot hypocritical also

Biggest majority of ANTI DRUG WARRIORS swill booze

Really gets me when I watch these cop shows when the bust down some scuzzy looking guys door, throw him on the floor then search and find a bag of MJ.
Drag him out throw him in the car.

what you don't see is the drug warriors heading for the nearest bar after their tour of duty to unwind and discuss how they are saving society

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks, SpookBrat! I posted this article already. I have posted a few article on this issue, but seems that enforcing drug laws is something that isn't deemed to interesting here on FR. These articles get ignored, big time, the silence is deafening - and the insults are perplexing to me. Guess we ought to legalize 'em all and make the Libertarian folks here happy. I think I got that right??..........
Bolton: Procedures for police could cost $1
million....Remedies for "Fake" Drug Cases Dismissed
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/650318/posts

[MeekOneGOP]

fyi, see my note.........

[Free the USA]

bttt