English courts released a man arrested on suspicion of having drugs after he refused to go to the bathroom for 47 days.
Police posted updates of the case via Twitter, indicating the suspect, Lamarr Chambers, swallowed drugs at the time of his arrest and would need to release the evidence sooner or later. But Chambers both didn’t go to the bathroom and refused medical treatment. Police had no way to obtain the drug evidence,
Fox News reported.
“Where detainees are suspected of ingesting or concealing drugs inside their body, we must balance overseeing their welfare and ensuring that all evidence is captured to ensure the best possible chance of prosecution,” Deputy Chief Constable B.J. Harrington said, via a press release from the
Essex Police.
Lamarr Chambers was arrested on Jan. 17 and spent a week without using the bathroom, forcing police to return to court to ask for an extension on his detention. The police were forced to ask the courts for more extensions after he continued to not use the bathroom,
Sky News reported.
Chambers was eventually released on March 5 due to health concerns. All charges were dropped. Police then rearrested him on another drug charge but allowed him to post bail. They then took him to a hospital, according to the press release.
“On the basis of all the medical evidence in this case it is most appropriate, both in the interests of Mr. Chambers and of justice, to ensure he receives the hospital treatment he needs,” said Harrington, via the press release.
Harrington highlighted the unique circumstances surrounding this case, via the press release.
“Police forces have a legal and ethical responsibility for the welfare of anyone brought in to police custody. Although an investigation concerning the supply of Class A drugs is routine for our officers, there have in this case been some highly unusual circumstances, which have attracted national attention.”
Chambers was suspected of a Class A drug charge. In the UK, Class A drug offenders are given the most severe drug penalties. According to the
BBC, Class A drugs include heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, and LSD.
Alere Toxicology adds crack, magic mushrooms, methadone, and crystal meth to that list.
People found in possession of Class A drugs can go to prison for up to seven years along with a fine. Those proven to be selling Class A drugs could go to prison for life, according to the BBC.
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