Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) in Mangalore, and labs in five other places will have drug testing facility. The move is a part of the programme to technically upgrade and strengthen FSLs, said Additional Director General of Police (Crime and Technical Services) Ashit Mohan Prasad.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a workshop for the police, Mr. Prasad said they were creating facilities at the RFSLs for prompt testing of drugs seized by the police. Mr. Prasad said it was necessary for the police to know the details of the drugs that had been seized. “There have been cases where the product seized, which was thought to be a banned drug, was nothing but talcum powder,” he said.
Mr. Prasad said the RFSLs will be getting new drug-testing equipment. With an increase in the number of drug varieties, the police will be increasing the repertoire of test samples. Technical upgrade will be done in the next two years. Mr. Prasad said the process had been initiated to fill vacant posts in the FSLs. Of the 80 sanctioned posts, 58 were vacant. Recruitment of 50 scientific assistants was on and they would be placed in the next two months in Mangalore and other RFSLs.
Mr. Prasad said drug peddling had increased, and of the 35 tonnes of cocaine that were being circulated in a year, enforcement agencies have been able to seize only about a tonne.
