Burger King sued over marijuana found in burgers
Two police officers in New Mexico have sued Burger King Corp, alleging personal injury, negligence, battery and violation of fair practices after they were served hamburgers sprinkled with marijuana.
"It gives a whole new meaning to the word 'whopper'," plaintiffs lawyer Sam Bregman said today.
"The idea that these hoodlums would put marijuana into a hamburger and therefore attempt to impair law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs is outrageous."
The civil lawsuit was filed on Friday in state District Court in Bernalillo County by Mark Landavazo and Henry Gabaldon, officers for the Isleta Pueblo tribal police.
The lawsuit says the officers were in uniform and riding in a marked patrol car when they purchased meals through the drive-through lane on October 8 at a Burger King restaurant in Los Lunas, New Mexico
The officers ate about half of their burgers before discovering marijuana on the meat. They used a field test kit to confirm the substance was pot, then went to a hospital for medical evaluations.
Three Burger King employees were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and aggravated battery on an officer, a felony. They subsequently were indicted.
The lawsuit seeks punitive and compensatory damages to be determined at trial, along with legal costs.
