Harborough families warned about cannabis-laced sweets - four children in England were to hospital after eating them

Police are warning families about cannabis-laced sweets as four children were rushed to hospital after eating them.

The urgent warning is being issued by Det Ch Insp Gan Thayanithy, the policing lead for the north of Northamptonshire Police

The detective is urging parents and carers across south Leicestershire as well as Northamptonshire to be extra-vigilant after police seized a stash of the sweets being taken to a house in Kettering.

Det Ch Insp Thayanithy warned that youngsters who have eaten the treats have suffered very serious side effects “like vomiting, dizziness, panic attacks and even unconsciousness”.

“Last month we issued a warning after one of my officers seized a quantity of the sweets – often called ‘edibles’ - in transit to an address in Kettering.

“These sweets may look innocuous but they are particularly dangerous as they’re unregulated and there’s no way of knowing the levels of cannabis they contain.

“In fact, some have been discovered to also contain MDMA, which is a Class A drug because of its harmful effects on health,” said Det Ch Insp Thayanithy.

“It’s easy to misjudge doses and children who have eaten such sweets have suffered side effects like vomiting, dizziness, panic attacks and even unconsciousness.

“I urge parents and carers to make their children aware of this issue and also to be mindful of the possible food packaging/wrappers with wording such as CBD or THC suggesting items are cannabis oil infused, as pictured.

“Please be mindful of the medical needs should your child present with symptoms - or if it becomes apparent that they have consumed a drug-laced substance.”

Det Ch Insp Thayanithy said the four children who became very ill after eating the cannabis sweets were struck down in Surrey.

Anybody with any information about these lethal sweets in our area should contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you are concerned about drugs or drug addiction, more information and advice is available here: https://www.talktofrank.com/