Existing law, the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, authorizes the forfeiture and seizure of property involved in, or purchased with the proceeds from, a controlled substance offense. Existing law authorizes a police or sheriff’s department, the Department of Justice, or the Department of the California Highway Patrol to, with an order from the court, destroy controlled substances, instruments, or paraphernalia, as specified.

This bill would authorize a local police department, sheriff’s office, or state law enforcement agency in possession of a controlled substance to transport a controlled substance that has been held beyond the applicable retention period for an ongoing investigation or related proceedings, and that they are otherwise authorized by law to destroy, to the Department of Justice for disposal. The bill would authorize the Department of Justice, upon an appropriation by the Legislature, to contract with a third party to dispose of all controlled substances received pursuant to these provisions.