Three disciplined after failed drug search of arrested man

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Friday, 2 December 2016 10:08

Three police staff have been disciplined for failing to find concealed drugs on a man in their custody.

It happened in April last year when the man was arrested over a domestic incident in south Down.

The police ombudsman found that when first searched before being put in a Lurgan cell, drugs paraphernalia were found.
Several hours later the man was searched again when a blue pill was found on the floor of his cell, the search turned up two packets of tablets found in his pocket and more in his socks.
The inmate was taken to hospital then transferred to a Dungannon cell where a packet of powder fell from his trouser leg as he undressed for a strip search before being booked in.
The ombudsman's report found two officers and a civilian detention officer failed to order and conduct thorough searches.