Policemen Sue Burger King Over Pot-Burgers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Daanyeer]

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk
November 7, 2006 Author: By Jenny Percival

Two American police officers are suing Burger King after they were served hamburgers that had been sprinkled with marijuana.

Mark Landavazo and Henry Gabaldon were in uniform and driving a marked patrol car when they stopped for a meal at a drive-through Burger King restaurant in New Mexico.

They ate about half of their burgers before they began to suspect that the meat contained an illegal drug. They used a field test to confirm the substance was marijuana and then went to a hospital for a medical check.

Sam Bregman, the officers' lawyer, said today: "It gives a whole new meaning to the word 'Whopper'. The idea that these hoodlums would put marijuana into a hamburger and therefore attempt to impair law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs is outrageous."

The incident has been publicised in late-night television jokes by the comedian Jay Leno and others.

Mr Bregman acknowledged that the situation "seems somewhat humorous at first glance" but he said it could have had "deadly serious" consequences.

"God forbid these officers didnÂ’t realise their burgers were laced with pot and then were called to a violent situation where theyÂ’d have to draw their firearms. Their lives were placed in danger because of these idiots and Burger King," said Mr Bregman.

A civil lawsuit was filed in the State District Court in Bernalillo County alleging personal injury, negligence, battery and violation of fair practices. The lawsuit seeks punitive and compensatory damages to be determined at a trial, along with legal costs.

Officials at Miami-based Burger King declined comment, citing a company policy against discussing pending litigation.

Three Burger King employees - Justin Armijo, 19, Robert Nuckols, 21, and manager Joseph Ledesma, 33 - have already been arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and aggravated battery on an officer. They were subsequently indicted.

The alleged offences happened on October 8 when the two officers, from the Isleta Pueblo tribal police, bought the burgers from a restaurant in Los Lunas.