frizzantik
Bluelight Crew
BULK MARIJUANA IN HAZARDOUS PACKAGING IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
The Illinois State Police Forensic Science Center at Chicago recently received five large, plastic-wrapped bundles of plant material, suspected marijuana. The exhibits were randomly selected from a total of 395 such bundles that had been seized by the Chicago Police from a hidden compartment in a tractor trailer arriving in Chicago from St. Louis. The packaging appeared to be routine, and consistent with similar, previously encountered bundles (see Photo 1). However, upon opening the first bundle, a white powdery substance was found between layers of the plastic wrapping, and as the plastic was folded back to remove the plant material, a liquid substance dripped from the packaging and onto the powder, resulting in an effervescent reaction that produced a gas with a chlorine type odor.[!!] The evidence was transferred to a ventilated area for further investigation, where careful dissection revealed the following (outside to inside): Plastic wrap; white powder; plastic wrap; sticky, yellow to brown liquid; plastic wrap; white powder; plastic wrap; plant material (see Photo 2). The liquid had a pH of around 2 (not further identified). Analysis of the powder with FTIR and GC/MS indicated a chlorinated compound (not further identified). Analysis of the plant material (total gross mass (including packaging) approximately two tons) by microscopy and Duquenois-Levine confirmed marijuana. Due to the hazardous nature of the sample, it was immediately destroyed under court order. Investigative intelligence suggested that the shipment originated in Mexico. This was the laboratory’s first encounter with hazardous packaging of this nature.
[Editor’s Notes: The white powder was suspected to be a pool chlorinating compound. It is unknown whether this packaging was intended to harm, or rather was to eliminate odors (thereby reducing the possibility of detection by canines or trained law enforcement personnel).]
The Illinois State Police Forensic Science Center at Chicago recently received five large, plastic-wrapped bundles of plant material, suspected marijuana. The exhibits were randomly selected from a total of 395 such bundles that had been seized by the Chicago Police from a hidden compartment in a tractor trailer arriving in Chicago from St. Louis. The packaging appeared to be routine, and consistent with similar, previously encountered bundles (see Photo 1). However, upon opening the first bundle, a white powdery substance was found between layers of the plastic wrapping, and as the plastic was folded back to remove the plant material, a liquid substance dripped from the packaging and onto the powder, resulting in an effervescent reaction that produced a gas with a chlorine type odor.[!!] The evidence was transferred to a ventilated area for further investigation, where careful dissection revealed the following (outside to inside): Plastic wrap; white powder; plastic wrap; sticky, yellow to brown liquid; plastic wrap; white powder; plastic wrap; plant material (see Photo 2). The liquid had a pH of around 2 (not further identified). Analysis of the powder with FTIR and GC/MS indicated a chlorinated compound (not further identified). Analysis of the plant material (total gross mass (including packaging) approximately two tons) by microscopy and Duquenois-Levine confirmed marijuana. Due to the hazardous nature of the sample, it was immediately destroyed under court order. Investigative intelligence suggested that the shipment originated in Mexico. This was the laboratory’s first encounter with hazardous packaging of this nature.
[Editor’s Notes: The white powder was suspected to be a pool chlorinating compound. It is unknown whether this packaging was intended to harm, or rather was to eliminate odors (thereby reducing the possibility of detection by canines or trained law enforcement personnel).]
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/programs/forensicsci/microgram/mg1105/mg1105.html
be careful out there.. if you don't know where your weed is coming from, who knows what the the hell is in it.
too bad we can't just make it legal so shit like this wouldn't have to happen. thanks DEA


