The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has instructed all magistrates to take necessary steps to remove drug samples weighing less than one kilogram that have accumulated at the Government Analyst’s Department.
The directive follows a request made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, President’s Counsel Ayesha Jinadasa.
According to reports, the Ministry of Justice has submitted a report to the Judicial Service Commission regarding drug samples under one kilogram that were sent to the Government Analyst’s Department between 1981 and 2023 and have already been analysed.
Although testing has been completed, the samples continue to be stored at the department, resulting in a severe shortage of storage space. The Ministry noted that the department is now unable to provide adequate storage facilities due to the growing stockpile.
Considering the situation, the Ministry of Justice requested the Judicial Service Commission to take prompt action to facilitate the removal of these samples from the department.
After reviewing the request, the Judicial Service Commission has formally notified all magistrates in writing to initiate the necessary procedures to clear the analysed drug samples weighing less than one kilogram currently stored at the Government Analyst’s Department.
