Police share photos, video of drug-laced candies to warn parents

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – Florida police are warning parents about the dangers of THC-laced candies, and candies and snacks laced with other drugs. Police want parents to be on the lookout for these dangerous edibles.

Drug-laced candies have been making headlines recently. On Monday, five students at Gulfport’s Boca Ciega High School were transported to the hospital after eating drug-laced gummy worms. One of the gummies tested positive for marijuana. Two students were arrested Tuesday in connection with the incident.

The St. Petersburg Police Department’s Vice and Narcotics Division recently confiscated a number of THC-laced treats during an ongoing investigation. These are marshmallow/cereal type treats, gummies and lollipops that were laced with high concentrations of THC.

In addition to these items, the St. Petersburg Police Department has also investigated five other suspected drug-laced snacks since January 1. The drug-laced snacks include Rice Krispie treats, gummy bears and a Marshmallow Peep.

In light of the recent arrests by the Gulfport Police Department, St. Petersburg police have released photos and video of treats they’ve confiscated as a warning to parents. They are asking parents to watch out for suspicious snacks.

Brightly colored and sugary sweet, these treats look innocent enough, but one not-so-secret illegal ingredient inside them is making kids in the area violently ill.

“They can think it is harmless … But actually, it has high concentrations of THC, so it’s more potent than smoking a joint,” St. Petersburg Police Spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez said. “To me, why would you put it in candy and things that look like snacks if you aren’t targeting teens and kids?”

There is a sign for parents who want to tell if their kids are getting a sugar high – or just plan high. “They still have the odor of pot so if a parent thinks they smelled something, but then all they find are these snacks, think about that,” Fernandez said.

St. Petersburg police aren’t sure if people here in Florida are making these drug-laced candies themselves or if they are getting them from states like Colorado and California, where pot and edibles are legal.