Lawyer Says Body Cam Video Shows LAPD Officer Planting Drugs

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles police have launched an internal investigation after body camera footage surfaced that an attorney says shows an officer planting drugs in his client's wallet.

Police say in a statement Friday they take all misconduct allegations seriously and will investigate to see if the allegations are "supported by reliable evidence."

Defense attorney Steve Levine says body camera video shows an officer "planting drugs" on his client, Ronald Shields.

He says Shields was being questioned in April after being accused of being involved in a hit-and-run when an officer started searching him. The video shows another officer leaning down, picking up a small plastic baggie and placing it in Shields' wallet.

Levine said white powder in the baggie later tested positive for cocaine. He's asking a judge to suppress the evidence.

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