Title 21
Food and Drugs

Chapter 28
Uniform Controlled Substances Act

Article V
Powers of Enforcement Personnel

R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28-5.07.1



§ 21-28-5.07.1.  Application for use in other cases.


(a) Notwithstanding any provision of § 21-28-5.07, the attorney general may apply ex parte to the presiding justice of the superior court for an order authorizing the state police, local police or an investigator appointed pursuant to § 42-9-8.1 designated by the attorney general, to use controlled substances seized as contraband in matters which have been finally disposed by the courts, in the investigation of other controlled substance violations.

(b) Prior to the application by the attorney general, the law enforcement agency requesting the use of the controlled substance shall submit to the attorney general, or an assistant attorney general designated by the attorney general, an enforcement plan outlining the proposed use of the controlled substances.

(c) The attorney general or an assistant attorney general specially designated by the attorney general may apply ex parte to the presiding justice of the superior court for an order authorizing the use of controlled substances seized as contraband in matters which have been finally disposed of by the courts in the investigation of other controlled substance violations. Each application shall be in writing, subscribed and sworn to by the applicant. The application shall contain:

(1) The identity of the officer making the application;

(2) A full and complete statement of facts and circumstances relied upon by the applicant to justify his or her belief that an order should be issued, which shall include details as to the particular offense that has been, is being, or is about to be committed, and the identity of the person or persons, who has committed, is committing or is about to commit a particular designated offense;

(3) The court case number(s), the name of the defendant(s), and the status of the case from which the controlled substances have been derived; and

(4) The quantity and type of controlled substances which are sought to be used.

(d) The presiding justice may require the applicant to furnish additional testimony under oath or produce other documentary evidence in support of the application.

(e) Allegation of fact in the application may be based either upon the personal knowledge of the applicant or upon information and belief. If the applicant personally knows the fact alleged it must be so stated. If the facts establishing reasonable cause are derived in whole or in part from the statements of persons other than the applicant, the sources of that information and belief must be either disclosed or described, and the application must contain facts establishing the existence and reliability of the informant or the reliability of the information supplied by him or her. The application must also state, as far as possible, the basis of the informant's knowledge or belief. If the applicant's information and belief is derived from tangible evidence or recorded oral evidence, a copy or detailed description of it should be annexed to or included in the application. Affidavits of persons other than the applicant must be submitted in conjunction with the application if they tend to support any fact or conclusion alleged in the application. The accompanying affidavit may be based either on personal knowledge of the affiant, or information and belief with the source of the information and belief and reasons for it specified.

(f) An application may be made to the senior associate justice if the presiding justice shall deem it appropriate to disqualify himself or herself from hearing the application.

History of Section.
P.L. 1991, ch. 295, § 1.