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Records: Texas Has Enough Drugs For Five Executions

Texas has enough of the execution drug pentobarbital to carry out the first five lethal injections scheduled for 2015.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice records obtained by The Associated Press under an open records request show 12 doses of the powerful sedative in the prison system's inventory since the end of October, after the state carried out its 10th and final execution this year.

Two doses are required for each execution, plus another two in reserve.

At least 13 inmates have execution dates in 2015, including four in January.

Records also show the state paid more than $12,000 for its most recent supply of the drug, which has become increasingly difficult to obtain amid protests from capital punishment opponents.

The cost is the same as a purchase earlier this year.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.