Police play a waiting game for drugs stash

A GANGSTER has gone three weeks without a bowel movement in an alleged attempt to stop police finding drugs he swallowed.

The man was arrested in Harlow, Essex, on Jan 17, and is charged with two counts of possessing class-a drugs with intent to supply.

He is accused of swallowing a drugs stash, and is being kept in custody.

Officers have been tweeting updates of what they have described as “poo watch”.

Police said they would continue to apply to court for custody extensions until he has a bowel movement.

The suspect, alleged to be involved with a London gang, was arrested by officers from Essex Police’s Operation Raptor West, the gangs and urban street crime unit for Harlow, Epping Forest, Brentwood and Thurrock district.

The unit said that Wednesday was day 21 “for our man on #poowatch”, adding: “Still no movements/items to report, he will remain with us until Friday when we are back at court where we will be requesting a further eight days should he not produce anything before that hearing.”

Officers said the man was being seen daily by doctors, adding: “This is his own choice and, so far, his health is fine.”

Chief Superintendent Paul Wells, who leads Operation Raptor, said: “If you are arrested and suspected of having drugs inside you, we can and will keep you in custody until you produce them.”