Dear Gotta Lota,

As we have said in our classes many times, no one does it the same.  So, what I will do is provide a short outline of what we have seen going around the country.

• State Statue

In some states there are laws allowing the immediate disposal as illustrated in Florida's law. "After a law enforcement agency documents the manufacturing equipment by photography or video recording, the manufacturing equipment may be destroyed on site and left in disrepair. The law enforcement agency destroying the equipment is immune from civil liability for the destruction of the equipment. The destruction of the equipment must be recorded by the supervising law enforcement officer in the manner described in 893.12(1)(a), and records must be maintained for 24 months."

• Court Order

In some counties, with concurrence of the prosecutor, departments have sought a court order for the destruction before the case has gone to trial after obtaining photographic proof of the destruction.

• Department Policy

With approval of the prosecutor, some departments have summarily destroyed and used the photographs for court.

• Destroy At Site

There are some departments that have destroyed or rendered in operable at the site, photographed, and left at the location.

• Keep Forever

Some agencies just keep it forever, just because!

The second part of your question on how departments actually dispose of these items when the case has been adjudicated.  The answer is the same, you name it we do it! Some methods that you may never have considered.

• Recycling

Some agencies will take the items to a scrap metal business and sell it, with the proceeds going to the city or county.

• Auto Dismantler

Some agencies will take to a scrap metal to a local auto dismantler The auto dismantler will probably do for nothing as they are getting the metal.

• Donation

Another "out of the box" thought is to donate the lights and ballasts, etc. to a zoo or schools or any other "out of the box" solution.

• Auction

One of the most "out of the box" solutions has recently evolved is actually auctioning the items. Some would argue we couldn't do that as it may encourage someone to grow dope. Fact is the all of the lamps, ballasts etc. are not illegal to possess and any one an purchase these item online for legitimate use. Propertyroom.com has been selling grow equipment for years without question. According to propertyroom.com they have about 350 department that routinely auction this type of property. 

• Washington and Colorado Solution

In 2014 both states authorized the sale of small amounts and any many cases their intake has dramatically slowed!