Report finds DEA losing more guns, fewer laptops

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department's inspector general says the Drug Enforcement Administration is losing fewer laptops these days, but more guns.

The report finds that some of the same problems cited in a 2002 audit remain.

It says while policies exist for storing weapons and laptops, those policies are not always followed. And when items are lost, officials don't regularly report it.

The report credited the DEA with a 50 percent reduction in the frequency with which laptops are lost and stolen. But the inspector general also said officials often have no idea what information was on the computers when they were stolen.

As for weapons, auditors say the DEA lost 22 firearms and had an additional 69 stolen over the 5.5-year period.

The DEA says said it has already taken several steps to improve its reporting process.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)