In what is said to be the fifth death nationwide this year during drug enforcement operations, a Las Vegas drug dealer died after overdosing on cocaine. Surprisingly, deaths while being arrested for drug possession are rather rare in the US.
When narcotics officers pulled over Anthony Barrett, they already had a report that he had cocaine in his vehicle. They suspected he was going to sell it. After uniformed officers stopped his car, and while police were approaching the vehicle, Barrett apparently consumed his stash, an unknown quantity of cocaine.
Unfortunately for Mr. Barrett, it was enough to cause his death from an overdose.
Police, perhaps realizing what had happened, summoned medical aid to the scene. Mr. Barrett was transported to the hospital, but could not be saved. The incident continues to be investigated by police. A death certificate listing the actual cause has not been issued. It is possible that Barrett had a medical issue not directly related to swallowing the cocaine.
That’s one heck of a choice. Either get caught with the drugs on you or risk death by hiding the drugs in you. What other choice did he have? In the sixth drug arrest related death, this time in Michigan, the suspect tried to drive off – with a State Trooper hanging on to the car. The trooper shot and killed the suspect.
It’s plain that dealing in narcotics is a dangerous game. If you competition doesn’t kill you, you still face death from customers, the police and overdose.
If the drug had been heroin or oxycodone, instead of cocaine, it is likely that Barrett could have been saved. Emergency rooms are able to give injections for opioid overdose that almost completely stop the effects. However, with stimulants, the treatment isn’t as easy. It all depends on how much is absorbed into the system. For cocaine, it is absorbed not only in the stomach, but all of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat as well. This means a toxic level can be reached very quickly when swallowed.
