No State Guidelines for Fentanyl Cleanup After Drug Bust
In New Hanover County, N.C., law enforcement seized 3.3 pounds (1,498 grams) of fentanyl while executing a search warrant on Flint Drive and 2.4 pounds (1,100 grams) of the drug on McRae Street. Homeowners in the two cases are responsible for making sure every bit of the deadly drug is cleaned from the home. Kelly Page, an assistant special agent in charge with the Clandestine Laboratory Mobile Response Unit with the State Bureau of Investigations, says there are state guidelines and protocol for cleanup after a methamphetamine lab bust, but there are no guidelines for fentanyl or heroin cleanup. Some say lawmakers would have to determine if fentanyl should be included in those guidelines and who would be responsible for funding cleanup. District Attorney Ben David says homeowners who fail to clean their properties entirely could face additional charges. "They need to clean up pretty well, because if anyone dies because of that substance continuing to be in our community, as a result of them bringing it here, we'll hold them as responsible as the criminal laws allow, and if there's no precedent, we'll create one trying to convict them," he says.
Source: WECT 6 (02/02/18) Bargebuhr, Tess