Las Vegas cocaine swallowing death ruled an accident
The Clark County coroner's office ruled Friday that last month's death of a 43-year-old Las Vegas man was caused by acute cocaine intoxication after ingesting a small packet of drugs.
Las Vegas police said Anthony Barrett swallowed the cocaine just before he was arrested Jan. 18. He was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center, where he died. The coroner's office said the death was accidental.
Blood tests showed Barrett also suffered from severe heart disease.
Barrett was stopped in a vehicle and swallowed the cocaine as officers approached during a drug sale investigation several blocks east if the Strip, police said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
