The National Police have arrested a 36-year-old man who owns a CBD store in Murcia. He is accused of poisoning five young people between the ages of 18 and 24 who were smoking vapes that could have had a liquid with the active ingredient of marijuana (THC) in it at a high school in Orihuela in mid-November. The seller advertised that the vapes had an 85% THC content, which is much higher than what is allowed by law.
The police say that four of the young people were taken to the hospital and that the man who was arrested has been charged with a crime against public health and assault.
A high school in Orihuela called the 091 emergency contact centre to report that five males were being helped by health services after having seizures and that they might have taken some kind of drug. This is what led to the police action.
The Citizen Security Brigade of the National Police of Orihuela came to the scene and found the teens confused and sick.
A vape inhaler was found hidden in a palm tree at the school’s sports complex during the first steps of the investigation. It was found that one of the students bought the gadget at a store in Murcia, knowing that its THC level was more than the legal limit. It was sold as having 85% THC, which is the active element in marijuana.
Five teens took this drug and went to the hospital, where four were admitted for intoxication.
Signs
The people who were admitted to the Orihuela hospital had “tremors, vomiting, and some felt like their bodies were paralysed.” Some people also couldn’t get out of their chairs or have a regular conversation. They also had hallucinations and, in some cases, memory loss.
In the same way, one of the young men said that he didn’t remember anything and only learnt about what had happened in the days that followed by what other people told him.
Another person who was impacted had these symptoms, but not as badly, throughout the next weekend. They were very weary, very sleepy, and even needed help walking.
The National Police of Orihuela’s Judicial Police Brigade took over the investigation. In less than five days, they were able to focus on the place where the teens bought the marijuana “vape” for 27 euros. It was a store that sold CBD-related products and had a website where it sold plants and resins at different prices and even offered home delivery.
Once the person who sold the electronic cigarette to the victims was fully identified, the police set up an operation that ended with the arrest of the person in charge of the Murcia store and the seizure of 23 inhalation devices that were just like the one the victims bought and were on sale in the store. These devices had been packaged and shipped from outside Spain.
The police investigation was finished, and all the steps taken were reported to the Orihuela duty court. They were waiting for the results of the toxicological examination of the electronic cigarettes that caused the incident so they could find out exactly how much THC they had.
So, because the police acted quickly, they were able to deal with an event that had generated some concern among the people of the town, especially among the students.
Avoidance
The National Police wants to remind everyone how important it is to be very careful when using any substance or product that wasn’t bought through a regulated health or commercial channel, especially if it comes in a flashy package or its ingredients aren’t officially certified.
Schools, families, and young people should also call health and police agencies right once if they notice any signs of poisoning or think someone is misusing inhalation equipment. Only buy things that have been approved, and stay away from stores that sell unregulated items or items with high levels of active substances.
Please remember that you can always call 091 or go to a police station to report similar instances, ask for help, or speak out against situations involving the use or distribution of drugs.
Author: Derek Appleton
No Comment! Be the first one.