Pubdate: Mon, 07 May 2012
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2012 The Dallas Morning News, Inc.
Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/lettertoed.cgi
Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: George T. Weir

THE DEA'S NEGLECT IS UNBELIEVABLE

Re: "Man forgotten in cell gets DEA apology -- His lawyers seek $20M
after he spent 4 days with no food or water," Thursday news story.

When the story first broke about Daniel Chong, a 24-year-old
engineering student at the University of California, San Diego, my
first reaction was, "This couldn't be."

Chong was detained on April 21 when agents raided the home of a drug
dealer. And yes, 18,000 ecstasy pills, along with other drugs and
guns, were found. And yes, Chong was there.

But Chong was forgotten and left in a cell for five days until a DEA
agent noticed a strange noise coming from the cell. He spent three
days in intensive care, with his kidneys close to failing.

Frankly I have no sympathy for anyone that is caught with guns and
18,000 pills, but my question is this: How could anyone be forgotten
for five days?

Is this the first time or is the only time it was reported? According
to DEA there were only five cells at the facility. Are five cells to
many to keep an eye on?

George T. Weir, Jacksboro
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MAP posted-by: Matt