When controlled substances or the equipment to prepare or use them are found on the person of an arrestee or are in plain view at the place of an arrest or search, the officers shall seize and immediately inventory the evidence. Narcotics shall be inventoried using a narcotics bag or a sealed envelope. Separate envelopes shall be used for each suspect. Narcotic paraphernalia shall not be included in the envelope.
If items seized are in the room, apartment, or premises occupied by the arrestee, the officers shall:
- Identify any other persons present.
- Determine the name and address of the manager or landlord.
- Attempt to determine the location of the key to the premises. When the key is in the possession of the arrestee, it shall be inventoried as evidence.
- Inventory all physical evidence gathered.
- Secure the premises and get a search warrant for further evidence if probable cause exists.
The Narcotics Unit/Precinct Community Response Teams gathers and tracks narcotics intelligence information. Officers receiving information about the purchase or sale of controlled substances shall inform the Narcotics Unit/Precinct Community Response Teams.
Definitions
Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.
- Probable Cause: Having reasonable grounds for supporting the requested Court order, to include: search warrants, arrests or other legal process. Probable cause is required by the Fourth Amendment. Officers must have an objectively reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed or that there is evidence of the crime present in the place to be searched.
- Search Warrant: A document issued by the Court authorizing the police to enter and search a person, premises, location or vehicle for purposes of evidence recovery.