SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- An American citizen died while in custody of the U.S. Border Patrol after being arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana, authorities said.
The death occurred early on Christmas Day at the Border Patrol's Campo Station in southern San Diego County. The name and age of the dead man were not released.
The Border Patrol said that the man "became incoherent and unresponsive" while in a holding cell after being arrested early Tuesday evening. After midnight, paramedics attempted CPR but were unable to revive the man, the Border Patrol said.
The death is under investigation by the county medical examiner and the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Investigator General.
The Border Patrol "is cooperating fully with these investigators to ensure a neutral third party reviews all evidence and information," the agency said.
When arrested, the man allegedly possessed approximately three pounds of marijuana. Drug paraphernalia and "trace amounts" of methamphetamine were found in his vehicle, the Border Patrol said.
Copyright 2013 - Los Angeles Times
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
