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| Drugs man's 16 day toilet refusal | Drugs man's 16 day toilet refusal |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A drugs dealer who refused to go to the toilet for 16 days to avoid producing the evidence that would convict him has been jailed for 52 months. | A drugs dealer who refused to go to the toilet for 16 days to avoid producing the evidence that would convict him has been jailed for 52 months. |
| Damien Ankrah, 28, placed the drugs in condoms and swallowed them to avoid detection, Swansea Crown Court heard. | Damien Ankrah, 28, placed the drugs in condoms and swallowed them to avoid detection, Swansea Crown Court heard. |
| The judge heard that after police in Pembrokeshire arrested him during a drugs operation, he refused to eat for days to avoid going to the toilet. | The judge heard that after police in Pembrokeshire arrested him during a drugs operation, he refused to eat for days to avoid going to the toilet. |
| Ankrah, from Liverpool, admitted possessing heroin. | Ankrah, from Liverpool, admitted possessing heroin. |
| David Lindsay, prosecuting, told the court - sitting at Swansea Guildhall - that Ankrah's stubbornness took up an "inordinate" amount of police time and resources. | David Lindsay, prosecuting, told the court - sitting at Swansea Guildhall - that Ankrah's stubbornness took up an "inordinate" amount of police time and resources. |
| Ankrah was arrested in Haverfordwest on 13 July as part of a police operation uncovering new drugs suppliers coming into Pembrokeshire. | Ankrah was arrested in Haverfordwest on 13 July as part of a police operation uncovering new drugs suppliers coming into Pembrokeshire. |
| Food refusal | Food refusal |
| He was taken to Pembroke Dock police station, where he refused food or drink in his cell. | He was taken to Pembroke Dock police station, where he refused food or drink in his cell. |
| An officer was stationed full time outside his cell door and powers used to extend his detention. | |
| Ankrah eventually began to accept drinks after local magistrates granted police more time to detain him and on 17 July he started to eat again. | Ankrah eventually began to accept drinks after local magistrates granted police more time to detain him and on 17 July he started to eat again. |
| On 29 July he went to the toilet and produced five bags of heroin. | On 29 July he went to the toilet and produced five bags of heroin. |
| The court heard that when Ankrah was arrested he told officers he did not have any drugs on him and said he would co-operate with a strip search. | The court heard that when Ankrah was arrested he told officers he did not have any drugs on him and said he would co-operate with a strip search. |
| No drugs were found, even following an examination by a police surgeon. | No drugs were found, even following an examination by a police surgeon. |
| But Ankrah's mobile telephone revealed text messages showing he was clearly involved in supplying heroin. | But Ankrah's mobile telephone revealed text messages showing he was clearly involved in supplying heroin. |
| It was rather misguided and it could have been fatal Judge Peter Heywood | It was rather misguided and it could have been fatal Judge Peter Heywood |
| Jim Davis, defending, said his client "was a man of some strength and determination", as his refusal to go to the toilet illustrated. | Jim Davis, defending, said his client "was a man of some strength and determination", as his refusal to go to the toilet illustrated. |
| He added that both Ankrah's grandmother and mother had been heroin addicts. | He added that both Ankrah's grandmother and mother had been heroin addicts. |
| Judge Peter Heywood said Ankrah's willingness to put his life at risk showed his determination to keep the heroin concealed. | Judge Peter Heywood said Ankrah's willingness to put his life at risk showed his determination to keep the heroin concealed. |
| "It was rather misguided and it could have been fatal," he said. | "It was rather misguided and it could have been fatal," he said. |
| "Had these packages burst he would have found himself at death's door." | "Had these packages burst he would have found himself at death's door." |
| Ankrah admitted possessing heroin, with a street value of £3,200, with intent to supply. | Ankrah admitted possessing heroin, with a street value of £3,200, with intent to supply. |
| It was his third offence for drug trafficking. | It was his third offence for drug trafficking. |
| Clear message | Clear message |
| Following the case, Det Sgt Richard Lewis of Dyfed Powys Police said: "Drug dealers often go to extreme lengths to hide their drugs from police, even placing them inside their bodies. | Following the case, Det Sgt Richard Lewis of Dyfed Powys Police said: "Drug dealers often go to extreme lengths to hide their drugs from police, even placing them inside their bodies. |
| "However Dyfed Powys Police are warning that even this doesn't mean their drugs will not be discovered. | "However Dyfed Powys Police are warning that even this doesn't mean their drugs will not be discovered. |
| "Police have lawful powers which enable them to detain a person in custody who is suspected of secreting drugs within their body for as long as is absolutely necessary. | "Police have lawful powers which enable them to detain a person in custody who is suspected of secreting drugs within their body for as long as is absolutely necessary. |
| "This legislation has proved invaluable. It sends a clear message to drug dealers that there really is no place to hide." | "This legislation has proved invaluable. It sends a clear message to drug dealers that there really is no place to hide." |