Pubdate: Thu, 07 Nov 2013
Source: Washington Times (DC)
Copyright: 2013 The Washington Times, LLC.
Contact:  http://www.washingtontimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/492

LAWSUIT ALLEGES ABUSE BY BORDER COPS IN DRUG CASES

ALBUQUERQUE - A southern New Mexico man who was pulled over for not 
making a complete stop was taken to two hospitals and forced to have 
anal probes, three enemas, two body X-rays and a colonoscopy because 
police thought he was hiding drugs, according a federal lawsuit.

No drugs were found on David Eckert, and he is now being billed for 
thousands of dollars by the hospitals, according to attorneys, who 
say the case raises serious question about law enforcement practices 
along the border.

"It's terrifying," said Laura Schauer Ives, an attorney with the 
American Civil Liberties Union in Albuquerque. "I think law 
enforcement has been emboldened, particularly where it comes to drug 
interdiction."

The lawsuit against police and sheriff 's officials says Deming 
police sought a search warrant for Mr. Eckert because they thought he 
appeared to be clenching his buttocks when he got out of his car Jan. 
2. The Deming police chief did not respond to a call for comment Wednesday.

 From wire dispatches and staff reports
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom