Drug dealer tried to lick cocaine from carpet, inquiry told

A Perth drug dealer attempted to lick regurgitated cocaine off his carpet moments before he died during a police raid, an officer has claimed.

Constable Gareth Irons told a fatal accident inquiry that Stuart Sandeman was lying flat on his stomach in his living room as officers tried to handcuff him.

The drug squad were in the process of executing a warrant at the 37-year-old’s flat on Struan Road in May 2011.

Spotted by a fellow officer placing a plastic bag with white powder into his mouth, Sandeman had fought his way through to his living room before falling to the floor.

PC Irons told Perth Sheriff Court Sandeman mockingly laughed in his face when he told the drug dealer to spit out whatever he had in his mouth.

He said Sandeman sat upright and began to choke and his condition quickly deteriorated.

“I tilted his head back and pulled his chin down. I could see large bits of plastic covered in blood in his mouth.

“I presumed that was what he was choking on. I used my pinkie to scoop plastic from his mouth hoping that would clear the blockage.”

Sandeman was declared dead at 4pm on the day of the raid.

The fatal accident inquiry continues.