Inquest hears police did not adequately supervise man who fatally ingested cocaine in custody
Griffith man Hugo Diaz Knox, 25, died just hours after his arrest by NSW Highway Patrol officers along Burley Griffin Way at Stockinbingal in the Riverina on September 30, 2022.
Police pulled Mr Diaz Knox over shortly after 6pm and after testing positive to cocaine he was arrested and taken to Cootamundra police station.
Once there his condition deteriorated and he suffered seizures before he was taken by ambulance to Cootamundra Hospital.
He suffered a cardiac arrest soon after arrival and despite a prolonged effort to administer CPR he could not be revived and died at 9:39pm.
An expert later found his cause of death was likely due to acute cocaine toxicity.
On Monday the inquest into his death began in the Wagga Wagga Courthouse.
It heard Mr Diaz Knox was found to have ingested two bags of what likely contained "large quantities" of cocaine.
Officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Sergeant Julia Bradley, said she believed Mr Diaz Knox had ingested the bags while he was in police custody.
"It's my opinion the possibility, the opportunity, to ingest the bags of cocaine happened either during the search of … [Mr Diaz Knox's] vehicle or on … the 15 to 20 minute journey from Stockinbingal to the Cootamundra Police Station," she told the inquest.
The court heard concerns Mr Diaz Knox was not adequately supervised following his arrest — contrary to police procedure which required officers to maintain constant face to face contact with persons in custody.
Shortly after his arrival at Cootamundra Police Station police suspected he had taken an illicit substance in his cell.
Taking the witness stand, on-duty Sergeant Hannah Bloomfield recalled colleague Constable Adam Dunford say Mr Diaz Knox had just done a "line" in the dock.
The court heard that according to a police manual at the time that they were required to seek medical attention immediately when suspected persons swallowed drugs or ingested a harmful substance.
However, Sergeant Bloomfield told the court there was no discussion between officers at the time whether medical attention should be sought.
Counsel Assisting Matthew McAuliffe told the inquest a call was only made to police some 22 minutes later after an officer observed blood on Mr Diaz Knox's nose.
During proceedings Deputy State Coroner Joan Baptie paid tribute to Mr Diaz Knox.
"He was a much loved father, partner, brother and friend," she said.
Mr Diaz Knox's parents, brothers and sister were in court for the first day of the inquest.
"I would like to extend my personal condolences to each of you for the loss of Hugo," Ms Baptie said.
"I hope this inquest will assist you in providing the answers to the many questions I'm sure you will have."
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