Police cleared by SIU following a ‘drug ingestion’ incident in Brampton

Peel Regional Police officers face no charges in Brampton arrest where a man ingested a bag of suspected drugs.

On Thursday (Aug. 24), officers were in their cruiser patrolling Brampton’s Salisbury Circle area when a Ford Escape travelling toward them, caught their attention.

According to the SIU, the vehicle briefly crossed into the officers’ path before correcting course and passing the cruiser, prompting the officers to initiate a traffic stop.

As the officer turned around to follow the Ford and activated the cruiser’s emergency lights, he observed the front seat passenger exit the vehicle, as it slowed down.

The man ran up a driveway and made a motion, simulating the act of tossing an item under a parked vehicle.

The officer, brought the cruiser to a halt, and exited the vehicle to investigate.

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Shortly after the officer discovered a small transparent bag containing white crystals, suspected to be a gram of methamphetamine.

The man was placed under arrest and was positioned by the passenger side rear-quarter panel of the police cruiser.

As the man was being handcuffed, he snatched the baggie from the trunk— placed there by the officer— and put it in his mouth.

Efforts by the officer to open the man’s mouth and retrieve the baggie were unsuccessful, leading to the the man swallowing the item.

Emergency Medical Staff (EMS) and paramedics responded to the scene after being contacted.

The man was then transported to the hospital where he underwent observation to monitor the situation in case the ingested baggie broke in his system.

Subsequently, he was discharged after being cleared by medical staff.

After reviewing the available evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined that despite the officer’s error in placing methamphetamine within the man’s reach, a level of care was maintained.

The cooperative man showed no signs of harm and the officer swiftly addressed the situation, urging the man to spit out the baggie, attempting removal, and calling paramedics.

There are no grounds for criminal charges and the case is now closed.