Report: Man Swallowed Drugs, Resisted Arrest

A Medford man faces charges of resisting arrest and assaulting an officer after he ran from police in Charlestown and swallowed a plastic bag of heroin, according to a police report.

On Saturday, Feb. 19, officers from the Boston Police Drug Control Unit near the Bunker Hill Housing Development saw John Paul Awbrey of 118 Summer Street in Medford engage in what they believed to be a drug deal.

Aubrey “had the appearance of a drug user,” the report said, and approached the rear door of a Medford Street residence while talking on his cell phone.

“Approximately thirty seconds later, [Awbrey] re-emerged from the courtyard,” the report said.

Officers soon stopped the man and identified themselves as police. In response, Awbrey “immediately stepped back and turned away from the officers.”

An officer grabbed Awbrey’s arm. A struggle ensued during which Awbrew pulled a plastic bag of tan substance from his pocket and put it into his mouth.

Awbrey made swallowing motions, the report said, and officers found his mouth empty.

He then “finally calmed down” according to the report. He was placed under arrest, apologized to officers and admitted that he swallowed the bag.

He “then attempted to retrieve the drugs by regurgitating,” but failed to do so, the report said.

Officers took Awbrey to the district A-1 police department and charged him with resisting arrest and assault and battery on a police officer.