The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) apologized for forgetting about a University of California–San Diego student, who said he was left in a holding cell for five days without food, water, or access to a toilet, according to UC–San Diego.
Daniel Chong, 24, told KABC television that he spent several days in intensive care for near kidney failure due to the incident.
He was swept up in a drug raid on April 21, and was told by an official that he would be released and not charged. However, he was instead handcuffed and placed inside a tiny cell for several days, which was confirmed by DEA spokesperson Amy Roderick.
“As soon as they said they were going to let me go, that door never opened, and I never got released. I did what I had to do to survive,” Chong was quoted as saying.
Chong said he yelled and banged on the door to no avail, though he heard occasional footsteps in the hall outside. According to the station, he was found on April 25.
