Toronto Police have arrested a man after an undercover officer allegedly bought drugs from him while the person was a patient at a downtown hospital.

"During the investigation, a man invited an undercover police to attend a downtown hospital, to complete a drug transaction," police said Thursday in a news release.

The officer went to the hospital's coffee shop on Wednesday to await contact.

"A short time later, an admitted patient, in a wheelchair and hospital gown, met with the undercover officer," police said.

They allege the two completed a drug transaction.

The patient was allowed to return to his room where he was arrested. Police claim they seized a loaded handgun, a bulletproof vest and an unspecified quantity of illegal drugs from the hospital room.

"It's a big eyeopener," hospital patient James Sweeney, who witnessed the commotion, told CTV Toronto. He noted that people aren't patted down or have their bags checked. "It's a little worrisome because you never know what people are going to bring in or what their intentions are when they get on the floor," Sweeney said.

Police laid 11 different charges against the man, who they did not name in the news release. The charges include

  • cocaine trafficking
  • possession of marijuana for the purpose
  • possession of MDMA for the purpose

Six charges were firearms-related.

"The accused has been remanded into custody and will attend Old City Hall court when he is released from hospital," police said.

CTV Toronto has identified the suspect as Venkat Milligan, 22, a parapalegic.

He is suing the Don Jail for $17 million, alleging his wheelchair was confiscated and he was forced to drag himself and was often left to sit in his own waste during a stay there two years ago.

Milligan's claims have not been proven in court. The Attorney General's lawyers have denied the claims, stating in a statement of defence that jail staff took "all reasonable and appropriate care of the plaintiff."

Milligan was in hospital for treatment of medical problems related to his paralysis.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Chris Eby