Surgeon who removed heroin containers from suspect is charged with keeping one for his own use
A surgeon has been arrested on drug charges after allegedly keeping one of several containers of heroin he was asked by Russian authorities to remove from the stomach of a suspected drug mule.
The drama began when the suspected courier, who was aboard a train from Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, to Bogotol, became ill. Police believed he was carrying heroin in his stomach, and took him to an area hospital, where the unidentified surgeon was asked to extract the evidence, reports the BBC News.
However, authorities questioned whether all the containers of heroin were turned over by the surgeon. He was searched, and allegedly found to have five grams of cocaine in his clothing. He also appeared to be in a state of drug intoxication, police say.
The surgeon faces charges of illegally acquiring and possessing a large amount of drugs, and stealing a large amount of drugs. He could get as much as 15 years, if he is convicted.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Surgeon Who Kept Bullet from Suspect Gets Probation”