TAKE IT OUTSIDE

Police To Store Rotting Pot In Vault

Cobourg police are purchasing a metal chest to become a sort of outside
vault for confiscated marijuana due to health-and-safety complaints about
the decomposing material.

People have been suffering from headaches from the strong and noxious
odour, Police Chief Garry Clement says.

Including delivery, the container will cost just under $3,500.

Due to the quantity of marijuana being seized during police investigations
and the fact that the garage area is no longer available for secure lockup,
the pot has been stored inside the police headquarters, creating a
health-and-safety issue because of the smell.

"My eyes watered one day it was so strong," Chief Clement told the Cobourg
Police Services Board during its most recent meeting.

The use of such a sealed container is "quite common" among other police
services, the chief noted.

It will be about 20 feet long and 10 feet wide.

"This type of unit affords security and can be placed outside on asphalt,"
a briefing memo from Chief Clement states.

In addition to drugs, hazardous materials can also be stored there, he added.

Drugs seized during police investigations must be held for evidence until
they are destroyed.

"We've been seizing copious amounts of marijuana," Chief Clement said.