PIC-202-02: Drugs / Individual packages / Sampling of dangerous goods

This example shows the actions taken by the officers in this specific situation. The legislation and practices may vary in other countries so this should not be treated as an instruction.

These pictures, taken in the Netherlands, show the sampling of consignments containing unknown materials suspected of being narcotics or their precursors.

The following equipment for sampling of drugs in different packages was used:

• Balance for weighing of package units and samples.
• Uniquely numbered sample reference labels.
• Plastic bags, different designs and sizes (P00)
• Big plastic bags for waste (P00)
• Scissors, spoons, spatulas, scalpels.
• Roll of disposable paper for covering the working area.

For more information on the Health and safety risks see the chapters Hazardous Substances and Drugs & Illicit substances.

In this case the suspicious substances were initially identified on site using mobile diagnostics. The opening of each package was done with utmost care and the smallest amount of the suspected substance removed as a sample.

To ensure safety and provide a strong chain of evidence two officers were present. One carried out the work while the other witnessed the procedures and assisted by preparing sample bags and labels.

The officers wore (lab) glasses, gloves and FFP3 category mask when sampling.

The work was carried out in a large well-ventilated space to reduce the risk of inhaling any dust. It was also well lit.

A clean work area was made by covering the table with paper and a clean piece of paper was used for each product sampled.

The tools were cleaned between each sub-sample to prevent contamination.

The blade was changed regularly to cut through packaging material cleanly without crumbling too much suspicious material.

Initial checks were made to see if fingerprints or DNA material can be seen on one of the packages.

The product and each layer of its packaging was described, labelled and photographed.

The official report included:

• Details of the packaging material(s),
• The quantity,
• The physical characteristics of the substance, etc.,
• Partial packaging was labelled on the basis of packaging layers. For example, two sports bags containing 4 packages of 4 blocks of material each, “1.3.4” would be the sample from bag 1, package 3 and block 4. These serial numbers were noted on the sampling form.

Photographs were taken at each stage, to provide a clear understanding of the seized consignment and all of its sub-packages. For determination of quality the Dutch customs proceeds as follows:

Weighing.
The packages were weighed at each stage to establish the weight of each layer of packaging and the net weight of the product.

Sampling
10% of each type of package was opened.

Screening An indicative colour test was performed.

In this case the suspicious substance was identified cocaine in the first example and heroin in the second example. The customs carried out sampling for laboratory analysis. They took approximately 2 to 5 grams of material from the centre of the product from the sub-packages and sealed it in a zip-lock bag with a uniquely numbered sample sticker.

After the sampling everything was thoroughly cleaned with ethanol and hot water. This included any tools or weighing equipment used, and the paper was disposed of.

The samples, correctly labelled with the sample sticker and serial number, were sent to the Customs laboratory.