Public defender says video shows Baltimore officer planting drugs

BALTIMORE (AP) — The public defender’s office flagged body camera footage it says shows a Baltimore police officer planting drugs, prompting investigations by police and prosecutors.

Media outlets report Wednesday that the video is from a January drug arrest. It shows an officer placing a can in a trash-filled lot as two other officer look on, then activating the camera and returning to pick up the can and pulling out a baggie of white capsules.

The cameras save 30 seconds of video before they’re activated.

The public defender’s office flagged the video recently, prompting prosecutors to drop charges in the case.

Police spokesman T.J. Smith says the department has launched an internal investigation. Police say they’ll release additional footage.

State’s Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Melba Saunders says the case is under investigation.

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Watch additional police video footage in the Wednesday Baltimore Police Department news conference:

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