Late on the night of this past April 20^th, 7 college students were arrested in San Diego by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The students were caught with marijuana, ecstasy, mushrooms, “bath salts” and prescription medications.

Six of the students were released, but sadly Daniel Chong was not. Daniel was told he was going to be released, then placed in a holding cell.

For 5 days Daniel was left in the holding cell with no human contact, no food and no water. He lost at least 15 pounds and when he was found he was near death. To survive he had to drink his own urine and by the third day he was trying to kill himself with the glass from his eyeglasses, first by trying to slice his wrists, then by trying to swallow the glass.

Daniel did somehow discover some powered methamphetamine in his cell and ate it in a desperate attempt at nutrition. He was admitted to the hospital after his ordeal with failing kidneys.

The DEA has since issued its “deepest apologies” to Daniel. Yet no word of mass firings and resignations at the DEA office in San Diego. And I doubt anyone will get in trouble over this incident. This college kid almost died, but he was busted for drugs so he’s worthless in the eyes of the federal government.

If Daniel had died I’m certain his family would have received the DEA’s “deepest apologies.” Daniel has a lawyer and I hope they are looking into every conceivable way to bring suit against the DEA and the people in charge of that office.

Add some regular beatings to this story and Daniel might as well have been in a North Korean prison camp. A former federal prosecutor familiar with the San Diego DEA office says the holding cells have no bathroom, so you can imagine the unmitigated hell this man lived through for 5 days.

Shame on the DEA (not only for this, but for all the evil they do) and shame on the federal government for continuing to propagate the laws that allow these things to happen. And for what reason? Was Daniel Chong a danger to society? Or was he just some kid at a 4/20 party?

UPDATE: Student Files $20 Million Claim Against DEA

- Joe Klare