<p>Lieutenant Commander Scintar Mejia, 35, died from his fall after being caught with a small amount cocaine at Manila International airport yesterday, said Superintendent Manuel Pintado, an official of the airport police unit.<br /><br />Mejia, who is of Filipino descent, was found carrying the cocaine during a security search just before he was to depart for Los Angeles, said Pintado.<br /><br />"He became unruly, he seemed intoxicated. He threw the sachet at the police so we apprehended him and brought him to airport security headquarters," Pintado told AFP.<br />The suspect appeared to have calmed down and was interviewed by representatives of the US embassy and US Navy officials, the superintendent added.<br /><br />While being held overnight at the airport office, Mejia was allowed to go to a bathroom but as he was being led out, he broke away from his escort and jumped off a 10 feet high balcony and landed on his head.<br /><br />He was rushed to a hospital but died shortly afterwards, Pintado said, adding he could not say if Mejia wanted to commit suicide or was trying to escape.<br /><br />The US embassy said it was aware of the "tragic incident" and was awaiting further details from local police.<br /><br />The details of the case remain unclear as Mejia had only been in the country for a day, Pintado said, adding that it was difficult to obtain cocaine in Manila. (AFP) SPD</p>
<p>Lieutenant Commander Scintar Mejia, 35, died from his fall after being caught with a small amount cocaine at Manila International airport yesterday, said Superintendent Manuel Pintado, an official of the airport police unit.<br /><br />Mejia, who is of Filipino descent, was found carrying the cocaine during a security search just before he was to depart for Los Angeles, said Pintado.<br /><br />"He became unruly, he seemed intoxicated. He threw the sachet at the police so we apprehended him and brought him to airport security headquarters," Pintado told AFP.<br />The suspect appeared to have calmed down and was interviewed by representatives of the US embassy and US Navy officials, the superintendent added.<br /><br />While being held overnight at the airport office, Mejia was allowed to go to a bathroom but as he was being led out, he broke away from his escort and jumped off a 10 feet high balcony and landed on his head.<br /><br />He was rushed to a hospital but died shortly afterwards, Pintado said, adding he could not say if Mejia wanted to commit suicide or was trying to escape.<br /><br />The US embassy said it was aware of the "tragic incident" and was awaiting further details from local police.<br /><br />The details of the case remain unclear as Mejia had only been in the country for a day, Pintado said, adding that it was difficult to obtain cocaine in Manila. (AFP) SPD</p>