SF Police Close Drug Lab, Outsource Work

Private labs will test substances to determine if they are illicit drugs under departmental supervision. The department will continue to use its crime lab for ballistic testing and DNA analysis.

May 5, 2010

After extensive deliberations, San Francisco PD Chief George Gascon has decided to close his department's drug lab following revelations that a former lab technician was skimming cocaine, SFGate.com reports.

Private labs will test substances to determine if they are illicit drugs under departmental supervision, Gascon said.

The department will continue to use its crime lab for ballistic testing and DNA analysis. The drug lab has been closed since March 9.

The move comes as the department continues to investigate the allegation that now-retired technician Deborah Madden skimmed powdered cocaine and OxyContin evidence.

The lab was also determined to be a home to feral cats.

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