The Houston Police Department (HPD), in conjunction with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, has revealed a revised approach to evidence management following a rodent problem. A significant infestation of rats, drawn to stored marijuana, prompted the change.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire inspecting the HPD evidence room. (Houston Police Department)

Police Chief Noè Diaz addressed the issue in a press conference, stating that the HPD discovered the rats consuming the stored marijuana in October. Mayor John Whitmire highlighted the scale of the problem, noting the vast quantity of marijuana involved.

Peter Stout, CEO of the Houston Forensic Science Center, commented on the difficulty of handling the "drug-addicted" rats. Mayor Whitmire emphasized the core issue as the excessive storage of unnecessary evidence, impacting the resolution of cases.

Rats discovered in the HPD evidence room. (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The HPD currently holds 1.2 million pieces of evidence deemed irrelevant, including items like sticks, tennis rackets, bicycles, and rocks from long-resolved cases. The department attributes the backlog to a combination of communication breakdowns and legal obstacles preventing timely disposal.

This accumulation has led to both rodent infestations and mold growth, posing a contamination risk to new evidence. Defense attorney Anthony Osso anticipates challenges to the integrity of evidence used in past cases due to this revelation.

Houston Police Department insignia. (Houston Police Department)

To address the situation, all pre-2015 narcotic evidence will be destroyed in collaboration with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the Houston Forensic Science Center. While the physical evidence will be disposed of, records will be preserved indefinitely. The HPD and DA's office are committed to ensuring proper handling and storage of relevant evidence moving forward.