Gwent Police cleared over Caerphilly drug raid death

**Standard Dave** · 01-19-11, 06:15 PM

BBC News - Gwent Police cleared over Caerphilly drug raid death

Gwent Police officers "acted properly" when a 44-year-old man died during a drugs raid on his Caerphilly home, a investigation by watchdogs has found.
James Graham collapsed after swallowing a packet of heroin when a police team broke into his Lansbury Park home in September.
An inquest this week recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Graham.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it was satisfied police had acted immediately to help.
The IPPC launched its inquiry following the raid on Mr Graham's home on 21 September, as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of illegal drugs on the Lansbury Park estate in Caerphilly.
The three police officers and a community support officer from Gwent Police forced their way into the house and led Mr Graham from his bedroom to a living room, said the IPPC report.
It was there that he began having breathing difficulties, which were initially thought to be an asthma attack.
But when the symptoms worsened, an ambulance was called and officers attempted to resuscitate Mr Graham.
A post-mortem examination later revealed that he had swallowed a package containing heroin, which had blocked airways.
"The officers who attended Mr Graham's home to execute a warrant acted properly and took immediate action when they realised that Mr Graham was suffering difficulties with his breathing," said the IPCC Commissioner for Wales Tom Davies.

Mr Davies noted that this was not the first time the IPCC has investigated deaths from swallowing drugs packages.
"This is such an obviously dangerous practice," he added.

**Motorwaycop** · 01-20-11, 06:27 AM

Oh well!

But why is a PCSO taking part in a drugs warrant?

**Standard Dave** · 01-20-11, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by Motorwaycop

Oh well!

But why is a PCSO taking part in a drugs warrant?

They needed someone to carry the search bag and couldn't find a probationer ?

I expect it's a neighbourhood policing team doing one without support from divisional or force support units so they take all of their team so no one feels left out or undervalued.