Record numbers of drugs being seized and needing analysis began spiking in 2023 causing a major backlog. Courtney Friedman wanted to know what solutions are in place and which cases are being prioritized.
Record drug seizures causing backlog at Bexar County’s crime lab‘It’s sad’: East Side residents already feeling loss from Spurs’ planned move downtown Read full article: ‘It’s sad’: East Side residents already feeling loss from Spurs’ planned move downtownAll three have backlogged cases, which have been unworked after 30 days.
KSAT is looking into each of those three backlogs in detail, figuring out why they exist and what’s being done about them. The backlog in the drug seizure department has its own specific causes, and it has to do with the types of drugs being seized. “All the sludges, slimes, pills, powders, anything suspected of being a controlled substance, is submitted to us for analysis,” said lab director Orin Dym.“For a long time here, we’re relatively good at what we’re turning around, and then we see an increase, and then it bolts up,” he said.KSAT requested five years’ worth of data to get a comprehensive picture of what has been happening with the backlog.However, around March 2023, things started to spike. Dym said part of the reason for that has to do with marijuana. “Our caseload used to be about 10% marijuana. It’s now about 40%, and the analysis of marijuana and THC takes about three times longer than other drugs,” Dym said. With other drugs like meth or cocaine, they just test whether or not it’s present. However, with THC, some levels are legal in Texas, so analysts have to see if it meets that threshold. “This month, we got in a record 765 submissions for analysis. We go back in time a bit here, we were only getting in 400 to 500 cases,” Dym said. On top of that, the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office changed its policy in October 2023 to include testing drugs under a quarter of a gram, which wasn’t done before.The backlog reached a peak of almost 4,600 cases in May of this year, prompting Dym to seek assistance from other crime labs. “We had to outsource. The contract was signed in April; first cases went out in May, and that’s when you start to see this dramatic decline,” Dym said. Pointing out the recent numbers on a graph, Dym said, “2,445 cases. That’s down from a high of about 4,500 cases six months ago. That’s significant headway.”“We are going to continue with the outsourcing right now to help get this backlog to zero. We got two positions this year. We’re in the middle of recruitment. We’ll get those up and trained. Training takes seven months,” Dym said.“Our first priority is in-custody, people in jail. That list has been maintained under 30 days through this whole process. When we look at this backlog, these are mostly at-large cases,” Dym said.As for the next priority, Dym said, “Cases that the DA’s need a lab report to indict, because they have timelines they’re working with.” He said there are already far fewer of those cases as they begin to make headway, whittling down the backlog.While the number of drug seizures seems to stay high, Dym is testing out new technologies that may help tackle cases faster.Courtney Friedman Courtney Friedman joined KSAT 12 News in August 2014 and now anchors the News at Noon weekdays, and reports important community stories. Her reporting often takes on issues including domestic violence, trafficking, foster care, homelessness and suicide awareness. She has an ongoing series called Loving in Fear.WATCH-Myrta Romanos leaves Bexar County Jail after charges connected to 2023 killings were dismissedChristopher Preciado’s mother accused in couple’s shooting deaths has charges dismissedBystanders capture UPS plane crash and explosion at Kentucky airportSights and sounds from Election Day 2025WATCH: Spurs Managing Partner Peter J. Holt answers questions after Prop A & B passedThird Trader Joe’s grocery store in SA opens on the Northwest SideThe cost of saying 'I do' is rising fastBCSO: 33 firearms, $200K+ seized during South Side SWAT searchWATCH: No injuries reported in train collision with 18-wheeler, Schertz police urge cautionSA businesses donate $1.6M+ to help SNAP recipients during benefits pauseSan Antonio chef reflects on industry challenges after restaurant closure
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