Theyre All High: New Orleans Police Say Rats Cant Stop Eating Marijuana In Evidence Room

The New Orleans Police Department is battling a slew of unsafe conditions at its headquarters, from faulty elevators to widespread mold . 

But thats not even the worst of it. The department says its also facing a major infestation of drugged-up rats at the dilapidated building on Broad Street. 

The gang of pesky rodents became high after making their way into the departments evidence room to nosh on narcotics, New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said. 

The rats are eating our marijuana, Kirkpatrick told the New Orleans City Council on Monday, CBS News reported. Theyre all high. 

The dangerous conditions arent just in the evidence room. Rats have been spreading feces everywhere, including on employees desks, leading to poor working conditions, CBS affiliate WWL-TV reported. Cockroaches have also overrun the facility, according to Kirkpatrick.

Among the many maintenance hazards, the building also has broken elevators, non-functioning plumbing and an air-conditioning system thats been out of commission since last summer, The Guardian reported . The repair bill for all the issues reportedly exceeds $6 million, according to The Guardian. 

It is not just at police headquarters. It is all the districts. The uncleanliness is off the charts, Kirkpatrick said. The janitorial cleaning [team] deserves an award trying to clean what is uncleanable.

The New Orleans Police Department didnt immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

Following Kirkpatricks testimony, the City Council voted to approve a 10-year lease agreement for NOPD to move to a new building, costing $670,000 per month, CBS News reported.

According to Chief Administrative Officer Gilbert Montao, the pricey migration would still cost less than the $30 million it would take to repair the current headquarters, which was built in 1968, CBS News said.

When we say we value our employees, you cant say that and at the same time allow people to work in conditions that are not acceptable, Kirkpatrick explained.