Student sues over mistaken drug bust

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Bob Frankston <Bob19-0501 () bobf frankston com>
Date: December 30, 2005 12:03:32 PM EST
To: Dave Farber <dave () farber net>
Subject: Student sues over mistaken drug bust

“Police told her a field test indicated that the powder contained  
opium and cocaine, but a lab test later proved the substance was  
flour and prosecutors dropped the charges, the Inquirer reported.”

------------------------

Oops?

In looking at all of the surveillance it’s easy to assume that the  
only problem is a theoretic violation of privacy but this story is a  
reminder that what is gathered is Rorschach test of interpretation.  
With enough data any paranoid fantasy will find its confirmation.

------------------------

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/12/30/ 
student_sues_over_mistaken_drug_bust/



Student sues over mistaken drug bust

By Associated Press  |  December 30, 2005

PHILADELPHIA -- When Bryn Mawr College freshman Janet Lee headed for  
a Christmas trip home two years ago, her luggage contained three  
condoms filled with flour -- which she and some friends made as a joke.

Philadelphia Airport screeners found the condoms, and their initial  
tests showed they contained drugs. Lee was arrested on drug  
trafficking charges and jailed. Three weeks later, she was released  
after a lab test backed her story, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported  
yesterday.

Lee filed a federal lawsuit last week against Philadelphia police,  
seeking damages for pain and suffering, financial loss, and emotional  
distress. She was arrested Dec. 21, 2003, was held on $500,000 bail,  
and faced up to 20 years in prison had she been convicted of the drug  
charges.

''I haven't let myself be angry about what happened, because it would  
tear me apart," Lee said. ''I'm not sure I can bear to face it. I'm  
amazed at how naive I was."

Screeners found the condoms filled with powder in her checked luggage  
shortly before she was to board a plane to Los Angeles. She said she  
told police they were filled with flour. She said she made them as a  
joke and would squeeze them to relieve stress.

Police told her a field test indicated that the powder contained  
opium and cocaine, but a lab test later proved the substance was  
flour and prosecutors dropped the charges, the Inquirer reported.

--------------------------

Bob Frankston

http://www.frankston.com





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