Thursday, July 21, 2011

How Are Illegal Drugs Valued?

As far as I know illegal drugs do not come with UPC symbols or price tags, so my question is: how are illegal drugs seized by law enforcement valued?   My question is prompted by an endless stream of articles especially from the Border states announcing eye-popping drug seizures like this one from Gustavo Solis at SignOnSanDiego:

U.S. Border Patrol agents foiled two drug smuggling attempts over the weekend resulting in the seizure of $676,880 worth of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and marijuana.

The first seizure occurred about 3:20 a.m. Saturday when agents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Pine Valley stopped two men in a 1980 Chevrolet Camaro. The men, 36 and 25 years old, were from Mexico but legally in the United States.

With the help of a police dog, agents discovered in the Camaro nearly 41 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $409,400 and about 9 pounds of crystal methamphetamine worth an estimated $164,700. The men were taken into custody and their car was seized, agent Scott Simon said.

The second seizure occurred about 12:15 a.m. Sunday at the I-8 checkpoint when agents stopped a 36-year-old U.S. citizen driving a 1993 Toyota 4 Runner. The driver appeared to be extremely nervous, so his truck was referred for a secondary inspection.

Agents searched the vehicle and discovered metal casings in all four tires and 24 black-taped bundles of marijuana. The marijuana totaled about 171 pounds and was worth an estimated $102,780. The suspected smuggler was taken into custody and his truck was seized, Simon said.
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I'm dubious about how law enforcement sets these valuations.  I wonder whether there has ever been a rigorous study on this issues.  I mean since we all know that law enforcement is nothing but a bunch of sweethearts who are invariable filled with proper levels of righteous integrity in all that they do for us, can we trust their numbers?   Is there ever any exaggeration?  A wee bit?  Maybe?

18 comments:

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  2. nyc atty sidney davidoff and his ex-partner are really thieves, crooks and liars..using my information they extorted millions from david pope, ceo of eon productions and sent the unreported loot to offshore accts..i got nothing..outraged by the robbery i am taking them to civil court, they will face 35 million loss revenue plus all the fines and penalties.

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  4. why dont they just show evidence of it then?

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  5. At this time there are many people take a drug for its proper health. In the police investigation, they found the 41 pounds of cocaine.

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  6. that dude needs to ease of the word cannabis..

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  7. The marijuana pricing is an accurate estimate. Law enforcement uses a national average based on the black market value of marijuana on the street. If you take the $ value here, divide by 171 pounds, then divide by 16 ounces, you get the price per ounce at $37.56579. This value is fairly consistent with about a price of $40/ounce on the streets.

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    Replies
    1. You are so wrong. They don't claim it as wholesale value, but retail value as if it was being sold in the smallest portions to distribute. Example an ounce of weed go for around $100. They will not claim that ounce as $100 but more rather 5x28 being that a nickel bag weigh approximately 1 gram. This heighten up their bottom line so that they can look good

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  8. Illegal Drugs will never disappear in this world if there are corrupt government officials and some police thugs protecting them. They know how to play it safe and it's really working for them. When will this cursed world end. medford oregon attorneys

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